Re: Canopy theory questions

Bill Hamilton (hamilton@predator.cs.gmr.com)
Fri, 27 Feb 1998 09:18:07 -0500

Glenn wrote

>The only issue I dealt with in my article was that of radiative transfer
>which is the second of your reasons. The earth at today's surface
>temperature radiates strongly at wavelengths between 10 and 12 micrometers
>in the infrared region. Water vapor absorbs VERY strongly at those
>wavelengths. So if you put lots of water vapor into the atmosphere, what
>happes is that the temperature must rise to a point where the earth is
>radiating strongly above 10 micrometers. In order to accomplish this, the
>temperature must rise accordingly. The trouble is that such a temperature
>makes life uncomfortable.
>

Thanks, Glenn. One factor which I didn't include in my thinking was the
internal heat of the earth, which you alluded to. And that's pretty
significant. Thanks.

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Bill Hamilton
Staff Research Engineer
Chassis and Vehicle Systems
GM R&D Center
Warren, MI