ESS227
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Effect
of Convection
radiative equilibrium
radiative-convective
equilibrium
qRadiative Equilibrium:
The temperature distribution that
would be obtained based on the radiative
energy balance in the
absence of fluid motion.
qRadiative-Convective
Equilibrium: The temperature distribution that would be obtained based on a balance between radiative and convective effects.
qWhether or not convection will occur depends
on the "lapse" rate, i.e., the rate at which the temperature of the atmosphere
decreases with height. Convection
will only occur when the lapse
rate exceeds a certain value.