The Radiant Properties of the Earth from the Standpoint of Atmospheric Thermodynamics (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1919. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The fourth term involves Q which relates to thermal energy imported from without. If Q1 -- Q0 represent the transference of thermal energy without any restriction, its dimension will be that of energy, ML2/T2]. In order to harmonize with the other terms of the equation, Q -- Q0 must represent a quantity of thermal energy per unit mass, that is, the dimensional equation requires that M shall be taken out, so that the last term shall have the same dimension as the others. An example from the mean results for the European ascensions will show the meaning of the terms and their relation. The differential terms relate to the layer immediately below the given altitude. Take the height, 2 = 10,000 m., for which 7" = 226 .o Abs. C. In the next 1000 meters below this altitude, the temperature gradient is A T = -- 6 .8. Since the adiabatic gradient is -- 9 . 87 per 1000 m., there has been supplied in the layer between 9 and 10 km., either by absorption of radiation, or by transference of warm air by convection or circulation from neighboring warmer masses, or by molecular penetration from such masses, an amount of thermal energy sufficient to raise the air temperature 3 .O7 above the temperature which it would have if no heat were allowed to enter or escape from the layer. This, apportioned equally throughout the entire vertical column of 1000 m. height and i sq. cm. section, gives Y* X 3-o7=I .535 accession of temperature to each cubic meter of air of mean density, Did = 0.5048 kilogram per cubic meter; or taking the specific heat of air = 0.238, each cubic meter of air receives from without, 1.535X0.5048X0.238 = 0.1844 large cal./sec. The thermal change within the layer derived by means of (2) is Q1 -- Qo==-- 1089 joules/kgm. sec., that i...