At night, the surface of the earth cools, mostly by radiation. The surface radiates energy upward; the much cooler sky above radiates much less. Patches of ground under trees can stay warmer, which is why, if you livesomewhere that has cold, clear nights, you may have noticed some mornings when there is frost on open patches of ground but not under trees. Why does being under a tree keep the ground warmer?

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter17: Energy In Thermal Processes: The First Law Of Thermodynamics
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At night, the surface of the earth cools, mostly by radiation. The surface radiates energy upward; the much cooler sky above radiates much less. Patches of ground under trees can stay warmer, which is why, if you live
somewhere that has cold, clear nights, you may have noticed some mornings when there is frost on open patches of ground but not under trees. Why does being under a tree keep the ground warmer?

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