The Stefan-Boltzman law states that the radiated power per unit area integrated over all electromagnetic frequencies as a function of temperature is: P/A = δT^4 Given the 4th power exponential on the temperature term, this would indicated small increases in temperature lead to massive increases in radiated energy. The earth is projected to increase a couple degrees over the next century, about a 1% change on the Kelvin scale. But a 1% change in T using the Stefan-Boltzman equation would mean that radiated energy would go up (1.01)^4 = 1.0406, or more than 4%. This would suggest that models with linear or even exponential projected increases in future temperature are ignoring basic physics. A logarithmic equation would make far more sense. As temperature increases also increase radiated energy, eventually massive increases in greenhouse gasses would be required to continue warming the atmosphere. So the question is, does a 15% shift in a minor greenhouse gas, such as CO2, still suggest an exponential runaway temperature event as graphed by many climate scientist?
Posted on: Sat, 10 May 2014 08:30:08 +0000
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