Why doesn’t CO2 block incoming energy from the sun in the same way it blocks it from the earth’s surface?
Wikipedia says the incoming radiation from the sun is 52-55% IR of total energy at the earth’s surface. It stands to reason that if CO2 blockes IR from the earth, it would block the same or much more radiation from the sun, as the sun is probably emitting much more (I am guessing). So the earth doesn’t have a blanket in this model, it has a barrier that would contribute a net cooling. Why is this not the case?
Wikipedia says the incoming radiation from the sun is 52-55% IR of total energy at the earth’s surface. It stands to reason that if CO2 blockes IR from the earth, it would block the same or much more radiation from the sun, as the sun is probably emitting much more (I am guessing). So the earth doesn’t have a blanket in this model, it has a barrier that would contribute a net cooling. Why is this not the case?
2 Answers
Different wavelength.
Explanation:
The wavelength of any radiation will determine if it can move through a substance. For example, x-rays will past through your skin but light will not. The difference between x-rays and light is just wavelength.
I think that is because the Earth re-radiates at longer wavelength.
Explanation:
From what I remember Sun light heat up the cool surface of Earth that re-radiates light at longer wavelengths at which
Considering the Sun spectrum:
although it is true that more than half is IR radiation the intensity of this portion of the spectrum is small while the visible and UV is quite strong and it is this that will be re-radiated (it passes through
It is like to have a lot of 1 cent coins...or few 1.000 dollar notes!!! The notes will build up the heating up.
