Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Sta. Cruz, Poblacion, Calabanga, Camarines Sur 4418
Website: [Link]
Email Address: [Link]@[Link]
Trunkline: (054) 881-3258
Module 3 Solar Radiation and Energy Balance
Pre Competency Checklist
1. What are the three main methods of heat transfer in the atmosphere?
Answer: The three main methods of heat transfer in the Earth-atmosphere system
are radiation, convection, and conduction.
2. How does the Earth receive energy from the Sun?
Answer: The Earth receives energy from the Sun in the form of solar radiation,
which is energy emitted as electromagnetic waves.
3. What is the greenhouse effect, and why is it important for life on Earth?
Answer: The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in the
atmosphere, such as water vapor and, trap heat. It is crucial for life on Earth
because without this natural heat trapping, the planet would be too cold to support
life, as the greenhouse effect maintains the Earth's average temperature.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, the students will be able to:
A. Explain the processes of heat transfer in the Earth–atmosphere system
(conduction, convection, radiation).
B. Analyze the role of solar radiation in maintaining Earth’s energy balance and
regulating climate.
C. Evaluate the impacts of greenhouse effect and global warming on environmental
systems and human society.
Introduction
Solar radiation drives weather, climate, and life processes on Earth. Understanding the
energy budget helps us recognize how incoming and outgoing radiation maintains
Earth’s climate system. The greenhouse effect, albedo, and uneven heat distribution
explain why different regions experience varied climates and why human activities
impact global warming.
Definition of Terms
Solar Radiation – energy emitted by the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves.
Energy Budget – the balance between incoming solar energy and outgoing terrestrial
energy.
Greenhouse Effect – natural process where certain gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
Albedo – the fraction of solar energy reflected by Earth’s surface.
Insolation – incoming solar radiation.
Heat Distribution – the way solar energy is spread unevenly across the globe.
Learning Content
Heat Transfer Processes in the Atmosphere
A. Radiation - The transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves without direct
contact.
Mechanism in the Atmosphere:
o The Sun emits shortwave radiation (visible light, UV, infrared).
o Earth’s surface absorbs solar energy and re-emits it as longwave infrared
radiation.
o Greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate this heat, contributing to the
greenhouse effect.
Examples:
o Sunlight warming the land and ocean.
o Earth radiating heat back into space.
B. Conduction- The transfer of heat through direct contact between molecules.
Mechanism in the Atmosphere:
o Occurs at the Earth’s surface where land or water molecules transfer heat
to the air molecules in contact with them.
o Important only in the lowest layers of the atmosphere (a few centimeters
above the surface).
Examples:
o Warm ground heating the air directly above it during daytime.
o Ocean surface warming the air layer in contact with it.
C. Convection – The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or
gases).
Mechanism in the Atmosphere:
o Warm air becomes less dense and rises, while cooler, denser air sinks,
creating vertical air circulation.
o Major driver of weather systems, cloud formation, and wind.
Examples:
o Rising warm air creating cumulus clouds.
o Sea breezes and thunderstorms formed by convection currents.
D. Latent Heat Transfer – The heat absorbed or released during phase changes of
water (evaporation, condensation, freezing, melting, sublimation) without changing
temperature.
Mechanism in the Atmosphere:
o Evaporation: Water absorbs heat from the surface and enters the
atmosphere as vapor.
o Condensation: Water vapor releases stored heat when it condenses into
clouds or rain.
o This hidden energy transfer fuels storms and the global water cycle.
Examples:
o Tropical cyclones powered by latent heat from ocean evaporation.
o Cloud formation releasing heat into the atmosphere.
Earth’s Energy Budget
Greenhouse Effect: Mechanisms and Gases
Mechanisms of the Greenhouse Effect
Solar Radiation Reaches Earth
About 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space by clouds, aerosols,
and Earth’s surface (albedo effect).
Around 70% is absorbed by the land, oceans, and atmosphere, warming the planet.
Earth Emits Infrared Radiation
The warmed Earth releases heat energy in the form of longwave infrared radiation.
Absorption by Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and re-emit this infrared radiation.
Some energy escapes into space, but a portion is redirected back to Earth’s surface.
Warming of the Atmosphere
This “trapping” of heat maintains Earth’s average temperature at around 15°C,
instead of –18°C without the greenhouse effect.
Major Greenhouse Gases and Their Sources
Gas Formula Sources Relative Impact Fossil fuel burning,
Most abundant
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) CO₂
deforestation, cement
anthropogenic GHG
production
Agriculture (rice paddies,
25x more potent than
Methane (CH₄) CH₄
livestock), landfills, fossil fuel
CO₂ (over 100 years)
extraction
~298x more potent than
Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) N₂OFertilizer use, industrial
processes, biomass burning
CO₂
Water Vapor (H₂O) H₂ONatural evaporation,
Strongest natural GHG,
transpiration
but short-lived
Absorbs UV and traps
Ozone (O₃) O₃Photochemical reactions,
heat in lower
tropospheric pollution
atmosphere
Chlorofluorocarbons
CFCs,
Refrigerants, aerosols,
Synthetic, highly potent,
(CFCs) & HFCs
HFCs
industrial use
long-lasting
Current Trends and Data
Temperature Rise
Global average surface temperatures have increased by approximately 1.1°C since the
late 1800s, with the last decade (2011-2020) being the warmest on record.
Atmospheric Changes
Atmospheric water vapor is increasing at a rate of 1-2% per decade, amplifying the
greenhouse effect. For every 1°C temperature rise, water vapor can increase by
approximately 7%.
Extreme Weather Events
Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events including heatwaves,
storms, floods, and droughts. Arctic ice is melting at an accelerated rate, contributing to
sea level rise.
Case Study
Melting Ice in the Arctic
● As ice melts, albedo decreases → more heat absorbed → further warming
(positive feedback loop).
● Impacts: sea-level rise, changes in weather patterns, biodiversity loss.
Discussion Board
Prompt 1: If Earth had no greenhouse effect, what would be the average global
temperature? What would this mean for life on Earth?
Answer: If Earth had no greenhouse effect, the average global temperature would be
approximately -18C. This extreme cold would mean the planet would be unable to
support life as we know it, highlighting the necessity of the natural greenhouse effect
for a habitable environment.
Prompt 2: Why do tropical countries like the Philippines experience stronger impacts of
climate change compared to temperate regions?
Answer: Tropical countries like the Philippines experience stronger impacts largely
because climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather
events like storms and floods. Since tropical cyclones (typhoons) are fueled by the
latent heat released from the large amount of ocean evaporation, the warming of
tropical oceans intensifies these destructive storms. Furthermore, these regions are
directly threatened by impacts such as sea-level rise, which disproportionately affects
vulnerable coastal populations.
Prompt 3: How can individual and collective actions reduce the imbalance in Earth’s
energy system?
Answer: To reduce the imbalance in Earth's energy system which is caused by the
enhanced greenhouse effect individual and collective actions must focus on
decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). This includes reducing the
burning of fossil fuels, halting deforestation, and minimizing emissions from
agriculture (livestock, rice paddies) and industry. By controlling the concentrations of
gases like CO2, CH4, and N2O , humanity can mitigate the global warming effect.
Assessment:
1. Define Earth’s energy budget.
Answer: Earth's energy budget is defined as the balance between incoming solar
energy and outgoing terrestrial energy. This equilibrium between incoming and
outgoing radiation is what maintains the Earth's climate system; an imbalance in
this budget leads to either global warming or cooling.
2. Give two examples of surfaces with high albedo.
Answer: Albedo is the fraction of solar energy reflected by a surface. Two
examples of natural surfaces with high albedo are ice and snow.
3. Explain why the greenhouse effect is both “good” and “bad.”
Answer: The greenhouse effect is considered "good" because it is a natural and
essential process that maintains the Earth's temperature at a level (around) 15C
necessary to support life. It is considered "bad" because human activities have
intensified this effect by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, which leads to
the trapping of excessive heat, causing global warming and climate change.
Post Competency / Experimentation
Objective: To measure albedo differences of surfaces.
Instructions:
1. Place a thermometer on different surfaces: concrete, soil, grass, metal, and white
paper.
2. Record initial temperature.
3. Expose surfaces to direct sunlight for 10 minutes.
4. Record final temperature.
Worksheet Table:
soil, Albedo
grass Guide Questions: (Observation:
Surface Initial Temp Final Temp (°C) high/low
(°C) metal
Change (°C)
concrete white paper
1. Which surface heated up the fastest? Why?
Answer: The surface with the lowest albedo would be expected to heat up the fastest
because low albedo means the surface absorbs the highest percentage of incoming
solar radiation. Surfaces like metal, dark soil, or dark concrete typically have low
albedo and would thus experience the largest temperature change in a short time.
2. How does albedo affect temperature regulation in urban vs. rural areas?
Answer: Albedo significantly affects temperature regulation by contributing to the
Urban Heat Island effect. Urban areas are covered in materials like dark concrete and
asphalt, which generally have low albedo and absorb vast amounts of solar energy,
resulting in poor temperature regulation and higher overall temperatures. Rural areas,
which contain surfaces like grass, soil, and vegetation, tend to have a higher average
albedo and benefit from better temperature regulation due to less absorption and
natural cooling processes.
3. What implications does this have for climate change?
Answer: The implications for climate change are serious, primarily due to the Albedo
Feedback Loop. Surfaces like polar ice and snow have very high albedo and reflect
solar energy. As global warming causes this ice to melt, it exposes the darker land or
ocean underneath, which has a much lower albedo. This darker surface absorbs more
heat, leading to further warming and accelerated melting, creating a positive feedback
loop that intensifies climate change. The ultimate impacts include sea-level rise and
changes in global weather patterns.