VCE Physics/Unit 1/AoS 1/Applying thermal physics to climate science
Introduction edit
Text to come.
Relevant Dot Points from the Study Design edit
- identify regions of the electromagnetic spectrum as radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma waves
- describe electromagnetic radiation emitted from the Sun as mainly ultraviolet, visible and infrared
- calculate the peak wavelength of the re-radiated electromagnetic radiation from Earth using Wien’s Law: λ_maxT = constant
- compare the total energy across the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by objects at different temperatures such as the Sun
- describe power radiated by a body as being dependent on the temperature of the body according to the Stefan-Boltzmann Law, P∝T^4
- explain the roles of conduction, convection and radiation in moving heat around in Earth’s mantle (tectonic movement) and atmosphere (weather)
- model the greenhouse effect as the flow and retention of thermal energy from the Sun, Earth’s surface and Earth’s atmosphere
- explain how greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (including methane, water and carbon dioxide) absorb and re-emit infrared radiation
- analyse changes in the thermal energy of the surface of Earth and of Earth’s atmosphere
- analyse the evidence for the influence of human activity in creating an enhanced greenhouse effect, including affecting surface materials and the balance of gases in the atmosphere.