Introduction to Modern Climate Change

Chapter 03  ·  Resources

Radiation and Energy Balance

Blackbody radiation, the infrared, and why the gases that we can see in the infrared are the ones that warm the planet.

Radiation

Blackbody radiation For a more detailed (and technical) description of blackbody radiation, see this online textbook.
physics.info ↗
Infrared cameras and methane leaks Infrared radiation has many, many uses in the modern world. [Spoiler alert: the ability to "see" these gases in the IR is the same reason that these gases warm the planet]
nytimes.com ↗

Flashover

One of the scariest fire demos you’ll ever see In this fire demo, as fire moves across the ceiling, the flames heat objects on the floor by infrared radiation. When the floor gets hot enough it bursts into flames — known as flashover. You do not want to be in the room when that happens. Here is a video of Prof. Dessler narrating this video.
youtube.com ↗