Approximately 30% of the Sun's energy that reaches Earth is reflected back into space by clouds, atmospheric particles, and Earth's surface. This reflected energy is known as the albedo effect. The remaining energy is absorbed by the Earth, warming the planet and driving various processes, such as weather and climate. Ultimately, a portion of the absorbed energy is reradiated back into space as infrared radiation.
The absorbed energy that is reradiated, some of which escapes into space, primarily refers to the Earth's thermal radiation. When the Earth absorbs sunlight, it warms up and subsequently emits infrared radiation. This process helps regulate the planet's temperature, but not all of this emitted energy remains trapped; a portion escapes into space, contributing to the balance of energy between the Earth and its atmosphere. This energy exchange is crucial for maintaining the Earth's climate system.
When matter absorbs a photon, the energy of the matter increases by an amount equal to the energy of the absorbed photon. The frequency and wavelength of the absorbed radiation depend on the energy of the photon and are inversely related - higher energy photons have higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths.
Longer wavelength energy is typically absorbed and converted into heat by materials. This process occurs in objects such as the Earth's surface, which absorbs longer wavelength energy from the Sun and warms up as a result.
Light is absorbed by matter when its energy matches the energy levels of electrons in the atoms or molecules of the material. When a photon of light hits an atom, it can excite an electron to a higher energy level, causing the photon to be absorbed. The absorbed energy is then typically converted into heat or re-emitted as another photon with a longer wavelength.
Red light has lower energy compared to green light. This is because red light has a longer wavelength, while green light has a shorter wavelength. The energy of light is inversely proportional to its wavelength, so shorter wavelengths (like green light) have higher energy.
Heat.The color we see in all the objects around us.The radar echo from an aircraft.
... greater wavelength, lower frequency, less energy per photon.
The total energy of a photon with a wavelength of 3000 A is divided into two photons, one red photon with a wavelength of 7600 A, and another photon with a shorter wavelength. To calculate the wavelength of the second photon, you can use the conservation of energy principle, where the sum of the energies of the two new photons is equal to the energy of the original photon. This will give you the wavelength of the other photon.
Clouds play a crucial role in the Earth's energy balance by absorbing outgoing infrared radiation emitted from the surface. This absorbed energy is then reradiated back toward the Earth, which helps to warm the atmosphere and surface. This process contributes to the greenhouse effect, ultimately influencing climate and weather patterns. Additionally, the presence of clouds can affect the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface, further impacting temperatures.
Red light has a longer wavelength and lower frequency than violet light. When light is absorbed by an object, the energy is converted into heat. The shorter wavelength and higher frequency of violet light means it carries more energy, but red light is absorbed more efficiently by most objects, making it appear hotter.
Visible light has a higher frequency, a higher energy per photon, and a smaller wavelength, compared to infrared.