Longwave and Shortwave Radiation | Climate Education Modules for K-12

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Longwave & Shortwave Radiation extended definition

Everything that has a temperature gives off electromagnetic radiation (light). The sun is extremely hot and has a lot of energy to give, so it gives off shortwave radiation because shortwave radiation contains higher amounts of energy The earth is much cooler, but still emits radiation. Earth’s radiation is emitted as longwave because longwave radiation contains a smaller amount of energy.

Longwave & Shortwave Radiation why do i care ag/K-12

Why Do I Care? Shortwave and longwave radiation interact with the earth and atmosphere in different ways.

Longwave & Shortwave Radiation prerequisites

I Should Already be Familiar with: Conduction, Radiation, Convection

Longwave & Shortwave Radiation body

Figure A: The Atmospheric Window

Image from Penn State University

Shortwave radiation (visible light) contains a lot of energy; longwave radiation (infrared light) contains less energy than shortwave radiation (shortwave radiation has a shorter wavelength than longwave radation). Solar energy enters our atmosphere as shortwave radiation in the form of ultraviolet (UV) rays (the ones that give us sunburn) and visible light. The sun emits shortwave radiation because it is extremely hot and has a lot of energy to give off. Once in the Earth’s atmosphere, clouds and the surface absorb the solar energy. The ground heats up and re-emits energy as longwave radiation in the form of infrared rays. Earth emits longwave radiation because Earth is cooler than the sun and has less energy available to give off.

Figure A shows the Atmospheric Window of the wavelengths that enter our atmosphere. Our atmosphere is transparent to radio waves, visible light, and some infrared and UV radiation.

Longwave & Shortwave Radiation want to learn more

Want to learn more? Earth's Energy Balance, Albedo

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Activities to further explain this webpage:

Alternative Energy: Solar Energy Activity

Activity: Alternative Energy: Solar Energy (You will be re-directed to a pdf version of an activity shared by the owners of the site.)

Description: This activity will investigate the effects of color on the amount of solar absorption for that area using many different collectors such as pie pans and items containing water.

All modules using this activity: Causes of Climate Change, Longwave & Shortwave Radiation, Radiation

What is a Greenhouse? Activity

Activity: What is a Greenhouse? (You will be re-directed to the UCAR website to an activity shared by the owners of the site.)

Description: This activity focuses on how a greenhouse retains heat. Students will build a greenhouse model to explain this process.

All modules using this activity: Longwave & Shortwave Radiation, Greenhouse Effect, Greenhouse Gases, Ozone, Nitrous Oxide, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Water Vapor, Halocarbons