Question

Statement-1: Cloudy nights are warmer than clear nights. Statement-2 : A clear sky acts like a black body.

   Statement-1: Cloudy nights are warmer than clear nights. Statement-2 : A clear sky acts like a black body.

Practice Problem in Physics for the JEE Main and Advanced

Practice Problem in Physics for the JEE Main and Advanced

Abhay Kumar 2015 Edition

Chapter 12, Problem 23

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Narayan Hari

01/17/2022

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The first statement says that "Cloudy nights are warmer than clear nights." This is true because clouds act as a blanket, trapping heat and keeping the Earth's surface warmer. Show more…

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Statement-1: Cloudy nights are warmer than clear nights. Statement-2 : A clear sky acts like a black body.

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Key Concepts

Black Body Radiation

Black body radiation refers to the theoretical concept of an idealized physical body that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation, regardless of frequency or angle. It emits radiation in a characteristic continuous spectrum determined solely by its temperature, following Planck's law. This concept is fundamental in understanding how objects, including celestial bodies and the Earth’s atmosphere, emit and absorb thermal radiation.

Radiative Cooling

Radiative cooling is the process by which a body loses heat in the form of infrared radiation. On clear nights, the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere lose heat rapidly to the cold outer space because there are fewer obstructions to reabsorption, leading to lower temperatures. This is why clear nights tend to be cooler compared to cloudy nights.

Cloud Radiative Effect

Clouds affect the Earth's energy balance by interacting with both incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation. At night, clouds act as insulating agents by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation back toward the surface, which helps to keep the surface warmer compared to clear-sky conditions. This effect is a critical component of the broader atmospheric energy budget.

Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect involves the trapping of heat by various components in the atmosphere, such as water vapor and clouds, which absorb and reemit infrared radiation. This process prevents the rapid loss of heat to space and is responsible for maintaining the Earth's relatively warm surface temperature. Although commonly linked to greenhouse gases, the effect is also influenced by atmospheric conditions like cloud cover.

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