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Simple or hard thermodynamics?
What is the current effective BB thermal resistance of
air, and approximately how many d=100m ponderable
hydrophobic polystyrene balls (reflectivity=95%) do
I need to float on the ocean to lower the annual mean
surface temperature of earth by 1°C.
date:1/4/2011
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On the simple side:
Assume the atmosphere remains "transparent"
to Solar BB flux; water vapor and other feedback
mechanisms can be ignored. Feel free to play with
this.
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1/6/2011
The simple answer is instructive with
regard to how things, even earth, MAYBE
thermostatically controlled theoretically.
In physics, I deal with approximations not
absolutes so doing some math seems reasonable
to me. Time for a poem from me.
Some sunny day I will show the sun its
Light or dark face in my small mirror
And the mighty star may humbly bow to me
But if you join me but ignore me
She may not humbly bow to us
Dedicated to the GW section;)
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MIT can't help the creator.
Lower case c.
@koshka
Thank you. I think you understand my
poets heart exactly.
Tutorial:
I think many in physics understand
Planck's law as applied to earth and
and sun. A large percentage of the
shorter wavelength, high energy, incoming
flux from the sun is absorbed by the earth's
surfaces including the ocean. These photons
are "transparent" to earth's atmosphere.
My ponderable inert low density polystyrene spheres
placed in key positions would send many of these high
energy photons back into space before they had
the chance (via absorption) of being converted
into Planck's IR earth spectrum. The composite atmosphere
resists such an outgoing spectrum; After the genie
is out of the bottle, the thermodynamics in the earth
system becomes very complex.
Many of the excellent contributors know where
I am going with this broad question, but they not
know that my real intent is to minimize "entropic"
debate, and maximize thinking out of the box;
Solutions, brick by brick via cooperation.
Nice feed
"Nice feed"? What the bleep!
Should have read: Nice feedback koshka
4 Answers
- KoshkaLv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
Nice poem :)
If you make enough huge floating islands with it (assuming that they are attached together) and given that it would not disrupt navigation. I guess that the area would be cooler because of the reflectivity (albedo) of white balls.
My interpretation of your excellent charade in the added details, is that since a closed systems allows energy but not mass across its boundaries, our planet could be considered as such. Whith the exception of the occasional meteorite falling or space shuttles leaving and entering our atmosphere of course.
So if the heat flows towards the white balls, they will not melt. But I would not know how to answer your question accurately. I hope some of your contacts have time to do so, it is worth it.
You should definately post this same question in GW, a good deal of entropy (in all its definitions) is happening there =)
__________________
Oh and I am not chickening out this time, promised!!
Actually I challenge anyone for the time the question still lasts!
- tostenLv 45 years ago
Thermodynamics applies to the random movement of debris in a closed approach. While mutations would possibly arise randomly, the system of organic evolution isn't random. It is mainly directed towards a specified target - accelerated abilities for survival. Therefore such bodily theories without difficulty do not follow.
- Armand Van HoyeLv 51 decade ago
I haven' t the faintest idea and I got an "A" on thermodynamics at the university.