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Earth's Heat Budget

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Terrestrial Radiation

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Terrestrial radiation, also known as the longwave radiation or earth radiation, is the energy emitted by the Earth’s surface after it absorbs solar radiation. It primarily consists of infrared radiation and is emitted uniformly in all directions, with a significant portion going back into space.

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Albedo

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Albedo is the measure of the reflectivity of Earth's surface, expressed as a percentage. Surfaces with high albedo, like ice and snow, reflect a large portion of incoming solar radiation, while darker surfaces with low albedo, like oceans and forests, absorb more. Albedo affects how much solar energy is absorbed by the planet and can influence climate and weather patterns.

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Latent Heat Flux

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Latent heat flux refers to the energy transfer that occurs during the phase change of water. This includes energy absorbed during evaporation and released during condensation. It is a key component of the Earth's heat budget since it involves the transport of heat from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere without a change in temperature.

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Atmospheric Circulation

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Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air that redistributes heat around Earth. Driven by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun, it results in the development of wind patterns and weather systems. Atmospheric circulation plays a critical role in balancing the heat budget by moving warm air from the equator towards the poles.

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Solar Radiation

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Solar radiation, or insolation, is the total amount of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth. It is the primary source of energy driving the Earth's climate system and is absorbed by the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and clouds. The amount of solar radiation received depends on the angle of the Sun’s rays and the length of the day.

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Sensible Heat Flux

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Sensible heat flux is the transfer of energy between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere due to temperature differences. Unlike latent heat flux, this transfer of heat causes a change in temperature and can be felt as warmth or coolness. It is responsible for heating the air directly above the surface through conduction and convection.

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Greenhouse Effect

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The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in Earth's atmosphere (greenhouse gases) trap heat, preventing some of the energy from escaping back into space. This effect keeps Earth's temperature at a level that can support life. Without it, our planet would be too cold for most life forms.

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