Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: smart on 09/05/2017 09:52:54

Title: What is the role of radiative forcing in cloud physics?
Post by: smart on 09/05/2017 09:52:54
I define radiative forcing as the management of solar radiation and heat production
by altering cloud composition in-situ.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Earth%E2%80%99s_Energy_Budget_Incoming_Solar_Radiation_NASA.jpg/400px-Earth%E2%80%99s_Energy_Budget_Incoming_Solar_Radiation_NASA.jpg)

What do you think?
Title: Re: What is the role of radiative forcing in cloud physics?
Post by: Atomic-S on 10/05/2017 03:55:18
Radiation reaching the surface heats it, which in turn contributes to convection, which moves air upward. If that air is moist, it will tend to form clouds when it reaches the lower pressures of the higher altitudes. Radiation absorbed in the atmosphere itself heats it directly, which encourages it to rise while at the same time requiring it to rise further than it otherwise would have to form condensation. The precise details of how this all works out requires more meteorological knowledge than I currently have.
Title: Re: What is the role of radiative forcing in cloud physics?
Post by: Bored chemist on 10/05/2017 19:49:32
Quote from: tkadm30 on 09/05/2017 09:52:54
I define radiative forcing as the management of solar radiation and heat production
by altering cloud composition in-situ.

Really?
Why would you do that, rather than using a sensible definition?
Title: Re: What is the role of radiative forcing in cloud physics?
Post by: smart on 10/05/2017 21:07:35
Quote from: Bored chemist on 10/05/2017 19:49:32
Quote from: tkadm30 on 09/05/2017 09:52:54
I define radiative forcing as the management of solar radiation and heat production
by altering cloud composition in-situ.

Really?
Why would you do that, rather than using a sensible definition?

Whatever the definition I may use, your judgement appears unbalanced. Perhaps I suspect I should have mentioned that radiative forcing can be performed by injecting aerosols in the troposphere:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Radiative-forcings.svg/600px-Radiative-forcings.svg.png)
Title: Re: What is the role of radiative forcing in cloud physics?
Post by: Bored chemist on 10/05/2017 21:37:57
Quote from: tkadm30 on 10/05/2017 21:07:35
Quote from: Bored chemist on 10/05/2017 19:49:32
Quote from: tkadm30 on 09/05/2017 09:52:54
I define radiative forcing as the management of solar radiation and heat production
by altering cloud composition in-situ.

Really?
Why would you do that, rather than using a sensible definition?

Whatever the definition I may use, your judgement appears unbalanced. Perhaps I suspect I should have mentioned that radiative forcing can be performed by injecting aerosols in the troposphere:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Radiative-forcings.svg/600px-Radiative-forcings.svg.png)
You decided to randomly change the definition of a well understood technical term for no reason.
Then you tell me I'm unbalanced.

Do you see any potential problems there?
Title: Re: What is the role of radiative forcing in cloud physics?
Post by: smart on 11/05/2017 09:34:37
Quote from: Bored chemist on 10/05/2017 21:37:57
You decided to randomly change the definition of a well understood technical term for no reason.

Randomly? Let me assure you that aerosol radiative forcing is not well understood.