Podcast
Questions and Answers
What happens to a beam of light as it undergoes scattering in the atmosphere?
What happens to a beam of light as it undergoes scattering in the atmosphere?
- It only reflects off surfaces
- It gains energy
- It is attenuated as energy is removed (correct)
- It changes direction without losing energy
What term is used to describe the process where a particle scatters light only once in all directions?
What term is used to describe the process where a particle scatters light only once in all directions?
- Reflective scattering
- Single scattering (correct)
- Multiple scattering
- Secondary scattering
Which factor does NOT affect light scattering by particles?
Which factor does NOT affect light scattering by particles?
- Particle color (correct)
- Particle size
- Particle shape
- Wavelength of radiation
In what condition does scattering prevail in the solar spectrum?
In what condition does scattering prevail in the solar spectrum?
How is light defined when it bounces off a surface at an equal angle to which it strikes?
How is light defined when it bounces off a surface at an equal angle to which it strikes?
What is referred to as multiple scattering?
What is referred to as multiple scattering?
Which size parameter signifies that a particle is large enough compared to the wavelength of light allowing geometric optics to be applied?
Which size parameter signifies that a particle is large enough compared to the wavelength of light allowing geometric optics to be applied?
Which of the following particles would result in scattering at the largest size?
Which of the following particles would result in scattering at the largest size?
What are the three main forces acting on a vibrating electron in a system?
What are the three main forces acting on a vibrating electron in a system?
In a parallel-plate condenser, which factors influence the electric field experienced by an individual molecule of the dielectric?
In a parallel-plate condenser, which factors influence the electric field experienced by an individual molecule of the dielectric?
What is the significance of the imaginary part of the refractive index in the solar spectrum?
What is the significance of the imaginary part of the refractive index in the solar spectrum?
How does the refractive index of atmospheric particles vary?
How does the refractive index of atmospheric particles vary?
What happens to white light when it encounters atmospheric molecules?
What happens to white light when it encounters atmospheric molecules?
Which type of force is responsible for carrying energy away when vibrating electrons emit electromagnetic waves?
Which type of force is responsible for carrying energy away when vibrating electrons emit electromagnetic waves?
Which part of the refractive index of air molecules is generally very close to 1?
Which part of the refractive index of air molecules is generally very close to 1?
Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting the electric field around a molecule in a dielectric?
Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting the electric field around a molecule in a dielectric?
What is the relationship between the scattered intensity of sunlight and the distance from the molecule to the observation point?
What is the relationship between the scattered intensity of sunlight and the distance from the molecule to the observation point?
Which parameter defines the scattering intensity when unpolarized sunlight is incident on a molecule?
Which parameter defines the scattering intensity when unpolarized sunlight is incident on a molecule?
In the case of horizontally polarized light, how does the scattered intensity depend on the scattering angle?
In the case of horizontally polarized light, how does the scattered intensity depend on the scattering angle?
What component is included in the phase function for Rayleigh scattering?
What component is included in the phase function for Rayleigh scattering?
What condition is true for scattering of sunlight by molecules according to Rayleigh scattering?
What condition is true for scattering of sunlight by molecules according to Rayleigh scattering?
How does the angular distribution of the scattered intensity compare to the phase function?
How does the angular distribution of the scattered intensity compare to the phase function?
What happens to the intensity of unpolarized sunlight as it scatters off a molecule?
What happens to the intensity of unpolarized sunlight as it scatters off a molecule?
According to the definition of the phase function, what must the integral equal?
According to the definition of the phase function, what must the integral equal?
What does the real part of the refractive index relate to in the context of scattering?
What does the real part of the refractive index relate to in the context of scattering?
What is the scattering cross section formula relating to?
What is the scattering cross section formula relating to?
How does the optical depth relate to wavelengths of light?
How does the optical depth relate to wavelengths of light?
Which color of light scatters the most according to Rayleigh scattering theory?
Which color of light scatters the most according to Rayleigh scattering theory?
What role does the correction factor $f(δ)$ play in scattering?
What role does the correction factor $f(δ)$ play in scattering?
Why does the sky appear blue when viewed away from the sun?
Why does the sky appear blue when viewed away from the sun?
What happens to the color of the sky as one moves upward into outer space?
What happens to the color of the sky as one moves upward into outer space?
Which of the following statements about the intensity of scattered light is true?
Which of the following statements about the intensity of scattered light is true?
What primarily contributes to the solar heating rate below about 10 km altitude?
What primarily contributes to the solar heating rate below about 10 km altitude?
How does the solar heating rate change with altitude?
How does the solar heating rate change with altitude?
What effect do aerosols have on solar heating rates in the lower atmosphere?
What effect do aerosols have on solar heating rates in the lower atmosphere?
At what altitude does the solar heating rate reach its minimum?
At what altitude does the solar heating rate reach its minimum?
What happens to the solar heating rate as the cosine of the solar zenith angle (μ0) decreases?
What happens to the solar heating rate as the cosine of the solar zenith angle (μ0) decreases?
Which gases are primarily considered in calculating solar flux and heating rate?
Which gases are primarily considered in calculating solar flux and heating rate?
What is the primary reason for dividing the solar spectrum into subspectral intervals?
What is the primary reason for dividing the solar spectrum into subspectral intervals?
How does the presence of clouds affect solar heating and net flux?
How does the presence of clouds affect solar heating and net flux?
Flashcards
Atmospheric Scattering
Atmospheric Scattering
Light interacting with particles (like air molecules) redirecting light in all directions, changing intensity and color.
Single Scattering
Single Scattering
Light scattered once by a particle.
Multiple Scattering
Multiple Scattering
Light scattered multiple times by different particles.
Geometric Optics
Geometric Optics
Signup and view all the flashcards
Rayleigh Scattering
Rayleigh Scattering
Signup and view all the flashcards
Phase Function
Phase Function
Signup and view all the flashcards
Sky Color
Sky Color
Signup and view all the flashcards
Solar Heating Rate
Solar Heating Rate
Signup and view all the flashcards
Lower Atmosphere
Lower Atmosphere
Signup and view all the flashcards
Upper Atmosphere
Upper Atmosphere
Signup and view all the flashcards
Water Vapor
Water Vapor
Signup and view all the flashcards
Ozone Layer
Ozone Layer
Signup and view all the flashcards
Aerosols
Aerosols
Signup and view all the flashcards
Clouds
Clouds
Signup and view all the flashcards
Cirrostratus Clouds
Cirrostratus Clouds
Signup and view all the flashcards
Stratus Clouds
Stratus Clouds
Signup and view all the flashcards
Solar Heating
Solar Heating
Signup and view all the flashcards
Net Flux
Net Flux
Signup and view all the flashcards
Scattering Angle
Scattering Angle
Signup and view all the flashcards
Polarizability
Polarizability
Signup and view all the flashcards
Wavelength
Wavelength
Signup and view all the flashcards
1/λ⁴
1/λ⁴
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Atmospheric Scattering
- Scattering is a fundamental physical process that removes energy from a beam of light.
- It occurs when light interacts with matter, like air molecules, aerosols, hydrometeors, and raindrops.
- Scattering redirects light in all directions, affecting light intensity and color.
- Single scattering occurs when light is scattered once, while multiple scattering happens when it's scattered multiple times by different particles.
Geometric Optics
- Geometric optics explains how light interacts with large particles compared to its wavelength.
- Rayleigh scattering, a type of scattering by molecules, is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the point of observation.
- The intensity of scattered light also depends on the polarizability, wavelength, and scattering angle.
- The phase function describes the angular distribution of scattered light, and for Rayleigh scattering, it's proportional to (1 + cos2Θ).
Scattering by Air Molecules
- Air molecules scatter blue light more intensely than red light due to the 1/λ4 dependence of intensity on wavelength.
- This scattering causes the sky to appear blue as blue light is scattered more and reaches our eyes from all directions.
- The sun appears whiter at higher altitudes because blue light is scattered away during its longer path through the atmosphere.
Solar Heating Rate
- The solar heating rate is the rate at which the atmosphere is heated by the sun.
- Water vapor is the primary contributor to solar heating in the lower atmosphere (below 10 km).
- Ozone is the primary contributor to solar heating in the upper atmosphere (above 20 km).
- Aerosols can increase solar heating in the lower atmosphere by absorbing visible and near-infrared radiation.
Effects of Clouds
- Clouds can significantly impact solar heating and net flux profiles.
- Cirrostratus (Cs) and stratus (St) clouds can absorb and scatter solar radiation, leading to changes in the heating rate and flux.
- The location and thickness of clouds influence their effect on solar radiation.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on atmospheric scattering and geometric optics. This quiz covers key concepts such as single and multiple scattering, as well as the effects of light interaction with various particles. Dive into the science of light behavior and its implications in our atmosphere.
