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

1. To learn the structure of the diurnal temperature cycle.
2. To learn the fundamental cause of that structure.

   More long term objectives will be:

3. To be able to understand how various changes in the atmosphere will affect the maximum and minimum temperature at a given location.

• What is the diurnal cycle?
• A look at an actual diurnal cycle
• Possible explanations
  • Hypothesis One: Temperature = Solar Radiation
  • Hypothesis Two: Temperature Change = Solar Radiation
  • Hypothesis Three: Temperature Change = Solar - Constant Energy Loss
  • Hypothesis Four: Temperature Change = Solar - Random Energy Loss
  • Hypothesis Five: Temperature Change = Solar - Energy Loss Due to Temperature
  • Hypothesis Six: Temperature Change = Advection
• How it all works
• Optional: the greenhouse effect
• Summary

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ATMO203 Home Page

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Texas A&M Atmospheric Sciences Dept. Home Page

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Questions or Comments

E-mail John Fulton < jdfult@nimbus.met.tamu.edu >

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Copyright © 1996-2003 Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Atmospheric Sciences Department and Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon. All rights reserved.