Earth’s surface absorbs an average of about 960. W/m2 from the Sun’s irradiance. The power absorbed is Pabs = (960. W/m2) (Adisc), where Adisc = π(RE)2 is Earth’s projected area. An equal amount of power is radiated so that Earth remains in thermal equilibrium with its environment at nearly 0 K. Estimate Earth’s surface temperature by setting the radiated power from Stefan’s law equal to the absorbed power and solving for the temperature in Kelvin. In Stefan’s law, assume e = 1 and take the area to be A = 4π(RE)2, the surface area of a spherical Earth. (Note : Earth’s atmosphere acts like a blanket and warms the planet to a global average about 30 K above the value calculated here.)
Energy transfer
The flow of energy from one region to another region is referred to as energy transfer. Since energy is quantitative; it must be transferred to a body or a material to work or to heat the system.
Molar Specific Heat
Heat capacity is the amount of heat energy absorbed or released by a chemical substance per the change in temperature of that substance. The change in heat is also called enthalpy. The SI unit of heat capacity is Joules per Kelvin, which is (J K-1)
Thermal Properties of Matter
Thermal energy is described as one of the form of heat energy which flows from one body of higher temperature to the other with the lower temperature when these two bodies are placed in contact to each other. Heat is described as the form of energy which is transferred between the two systems or in between the systems and their surrounding by the virtue of difference in temperature. Calorimetry is that branch of science which helps in measuring the changes which are taking place in the heat energy of a given body.
Earth’s surface absorbs an average of about 960. W/m2 from the Sun’s irradiance. The power absorbed is Pabs = (960. W/m2) (Adisc), where Adisc = π(RE)2 is Earth’s projected area. An equal amount of power is radiated so that Earth remains in thermal equilibrium with its environment at nearly 0 K. Estimate Earth’s surface temperature by setting the radiated power from Stefan’s law equal to the absorbed power and solving for the temperature in Kelvin. In Stefan’s law, assume e = 1 and take the area to be A = 4π(RE)2, the surface area of a spherical Earth. (Note : Earth’s atmosphere acts like a blanket and warms the planet to a global average about 30 K above the value calculated here.)
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