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Equations in a Model and Simple Examples
One-dimensional Models
We take a look at two different one-dimensional models here.
1. Variations of temperature with height - the radiative convective model
This model also balances energy in and out, but it adds an extra dimension - height. For each layer in the atmosphere, the temperature is a balance between heating and cooling from shortwave and longwave radiation, and heating from condensation. By adding some more equations and the vertical concentrations of certain gases, these models can be used to study the effects of things like clouds, ozone, and aerosols on a vertical temperature profile. Let's look at the graph to the right. For a given point on the earth, a temperature profile can be calculated like the one shown here. The temperature of each layer of air depends on factors such as the strength of solar radiation, the concentration of certain greenhouse gases, and the amount of longwave cooling or warming coming from the layers above and below it. For example, the temperature begins to increase with height above 150 millibars (mb) because of the high concentration of ozone found at this height.
Next page -> simple examples, continued
Links and resources
One-dimensional Models
We take a look at two different one-dimensional models here.
1. Variations of temperature with height - the radiative convective model
This model also balances energy in and out, but it adds an extra dimension - height. For each layer in the atmosphere, the temperature is a balance between heating and cooling from shortwave and longwave radiation, and heating from condensation. By adding some more equations and the vertical concentrations of certain gases, these models can be used to study the effects of things like clouds, ozone, and aerosols on a vertical temperature profile. Let's look at the graph to the right. For a given point on the earth, a temperature profile can be calculated like the one shown here. The temperature of each layer of air depends on factors such as the strength of solar radiation, the concentration of certain greenhouse gases, and the amount of longwave cooling or warming coming from the layers above and below it. For example, the temperature begins to increase with height above 150 millibars (mb) because of the high concentration of ozone found at this height.
Next page -> simple examples, continued
Links and resources
