Radiation and the Diurnal Heating Cycle

Introduction

This module is the first in a series explaining how and why the temperature rises and falls at the surface of the Earth.

Learning Objectives

• To learn the structure of the diurnal temperature cycle.
• To learn the fundamental cause of that structure
• Long Term Objective:
  • To be able to understand how various changes in the atmosphere will affect the maximum and minimum temperature at a given location.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Diurnal Cycle?
2. A Look at an Actual Diurnal Cycle
3. Possible Explanations
4. How it All Works
5. Optional: The Greenhouse Effect
6. Summary

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