transmission
the uninterrupted passage of shortwave and longwave energy through either the atmosphere or water
heat
the flow of kinetic energy between molecules and from one body or substance to another resulting from temperature differences between them
sensible heat
heat that can be "sensed" by humans as temperature because it comes from the kinetic energy of molecular motion
conduction
the molecule-to-molecule transfer of heat energy as it diffuses through a substance
convection
the transfer of heat by mixing or circulation, physical mixing involves a strong vertical motion
advection
transfer of heat by mixing or circulation, physical mixing involves a horizontal motion
scattering
occurs when atmospheric gases, dust, cloud droplets, water vapor, and pollutants physically interact with insolation to redirect radiation; changes the direction of the light's movement without changing the wavelengths
diffuse radiation
incoming energy that reaches Earth's surface after scattering occurs
refraction
occurs when insolation from the atmosphere passes from one medium to another; causes a change of speed in the insolation which impacts the direction and causes bending
mirage
an image that appears near the horizon when light waves are refracted by layers of air at different temperatures
reflection
occurs when a portion of arriving energy bounces directly back into space
albedo
the reflective quality, or intrinsic brightness, of a surface; controls the amount of insolation that reaches the Earth- precentage of insolation that is reflected
absorption
the assimilation of radiation of by molecules of matter, converting the radiation from one form of energy to another
global dimming
general term describing the pollution-related decline in insolation to the Earth's surface
greenhouse effect
occurs when longwave radiation is absorbed by gases in the lower atmosphere and then reradiated back toward Earth; this process affects the heating of Earth's atmosphere
greenhouse gases
the gases associated with the process of heating the Earth
cloud-albedo forcing
an increase in albedo caused by low, thick stratus clouds that reflect a lot of insolation and cause a cooling of Earth's atmosphere
cloud-greenhouse forcing
high-altitude clouds that reflect about half of incoming insolation; they trap longwave radiation and cause Earth to heat up
jet contrails
produce high cirrus clouds stimulated by aircraft exhaust; both cool and warm the atmosphere
microclimatology
science of physical conditions including radiation, heat, and moisture in the boundary layer at or near Earth's surface
net radiation (NET R)
the sum of all radiation gains and losses at any defined location on Earth's surface
urban heat island (UHI)
used to describe physical characteristics of urbanized regions where both maximum and minimum temperatures are higher than rural settings
dust dome
used to describe trapped air-borne pollution surrounding most major cities