Radiation balance: Greenhouse effect in the cup
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Graphic labeling:
Radiation balance for two experiment setups related to the greenhouse effect: an open plastic container as well as a plastic container with a lid and black paper.
English, Spanish (CREA), German
2019-03-21
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In this simplified model experiment, the container wall corresponds to the atmosphere and the black cardboard corresponds to the Earth’s surface (absorber). In the open container without an absorber (on the left), most of the relatively short-wave light shines unhindered through the container; only a small portion is reflected by the container wall and an even smaller portion is absorbed by the probe. The container’s interior barely warms up.
In the closed container with the absorber (on the right), the light shining into the container is mostly absorbed by the black cardboard. The heated cardboard emits radiation of longer wavelengths. This long-wave radiation is absorbed by the container’s wall and emitted as radiation: The container’s interior warms up.
Image legend:
1 Reflection at the container’s wall
2 Absorption by the probe
3 Absorption by the black cardboard
4 Long-wave radiation from the black cardboard
5 Absorption and reradiation by the container’s wall
6 Radiation by the container’s wall to the surroundings
In the closed container with the absorber (on the right), the light shining into the container is mostly absorbed by the black cardboard. The heated cardboard emits radiation of longer wavelengths. This long-wave radiation is absorbed by the container’s wall and emitted as radiation: The container’s interior warms up.
Image legend:
1 Reflection at the container’s wall
2 Absorption by the probe
3 Absorption by the black cardboard
4 Long-wave radiation from the black cardboard
5 Absorption and reradiation by the container’s wall
6 Radiation by the container’s wall to the surroundings
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Illustration
Biology; Chemistry; Geography; Physics
Grade 5 to 6; Grade 7 to 9; Grade 10 to 13
Middle/high school
Atmosphere; Greenhouse effect; Heat; Radiation (general)
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