Question

Calculate Ts for the given values of the solar input. The discussion part of each question emphasizes physical understanding by comparing Earth to this simple planet. Constant albedo A; use A=0.12. The value of s=5.67 X 10-8 Wm-2K-4.

(a) An Earth without atmosphere: There would be no clouds and no aerosols for simplity, the Earth’s surface albedo is 0.12.

i) Calculate Ts for Sß = 342 W/m2, the global average input and A=0.12. Compare to the global average Ts on Earth, which is about 15°C. How different is the real Earth’s Ts (15°C) from the Ts you just calculated?

(ii) To see the effect of clouds on Earth’s surface temperature, we assume the Earth's global average albedo A=0.30. Calculate Ts again. Does your value still differ substantially from 15°C. Based on the difference between Ts values in (i) and (ii), discuss cloud albedo effect on Earth's surface temperature?

Please show me how to do part i and ii.

Answer 1