Why are the differing wavelengths of incoming and outgoing radiant heat important for understanding the energy budget?
What will be an ideal response?
The different wavelengths, short-wave for incoming radiation from the Sun and long-wave for heat radiated from Earth's surface, play an important role in the energy budget because the gas molecules in the atmosphere interact differently with each type of radiant energy. Almost all of the incoming short-wave radiation passes through the atmosphere to Earth's surface. However, the atmospheric gases absorb large amounts of the outgoing long-wave radiation. If this absorption did not take place, then all of the heat from the Sun would simply escape back into space and Earth's surface would be too cold for life as we know it.
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A ________, by scientists definition, is something that has been overwhelmingly verified.
A. guess B. hypothesis C. theory D. prediction
Match the astronomical bodies to their correct description. (Note: some answers will be used more than once.)
A) Terrestrial planet B) Dwarf planet C) Jovian planet 1) Earth 2) Neptune 3) Uranus 4) Pluto 5) Mercury 6) Ceres 7) Jupiter
A package falls off a truck that is moving at 30 m/s. Neglecting air resistance, the horizontal speed of the package just before it hits the ground is
A) zero. B) less than 30 m/s but larger than zero. C) about 30 m/s. D) more than 30 m/s. E) more information needed for an estimate
People who rely on wells for drinking water are likely concerned about all the following except ________
A) overdrawing water B) saltwater intrusion C) pollutants D) flooding E) faulty septic systems