I know this is going to go over a lot of people’s heads here. Thermodynamics is probably one of the most difficult subjects in the physical sciences. In my Nuke School Class it washed out about 1/2 the class. I got a top mark. That said – let me give you the short version. The temperature of the earth has nothing to do with the composition of the atmosphere. It only depends (for the most part) on the pressure of the atmosphere and solar heating. There are some short term complicating factors – like heat storage in the oceans. But the big effects are the atmosphere itself and solar heating.
Let me add that I twigged to this by reading the linked post at Tallbloke’s Talkshop – Cutting edge science you can dice with.
Expanding the Concept of Atmospheric Greenhouse Effect Using Thermodynamic Principles: Implications for Predicting Future Climate Change
Ned Nikolov, Ph.D. & Karl Zeller, Ph.D.
USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins CO, USA
We present results from a new critical review of the atmospheric Greenhouse (GH) concept. Three main problems are identified with the current GH theory. It is demonstrated that thermodynamic principles based on the Ideal Gas Law must be invoked to fully explain the Natural Greenhouse Effect, which essence is the boost of global surface temperature above that of an airless planet exposed to the same solar irradiance. We show via a novel analysis of planetary climates in the solar system that the physical nature of the so-called Greenhouse Effect is in fact a Pressure – induced Thermal Enhancement (PTE), which is independent of the atmospheric chemical composition. Hence, the down – welling infrared radiation (a.k.a. greenhouse – or back – radiation) is a product of the atmospheric temperature (maintained by solar heating and air pressure) rather than a cause for it. In other words, our results suggest that the GH effect is a thermodynamic phenomenon, not a radiative one as presently assumed. This finding leads to a new and very different paradigm of climate controls. Results from our research are combined with those from other studies to propose a Unified Theory of Climate, which explains a number of phenomena that the current theory fails to explain. Implications of the new paradigm for predicting future climate trends are briefly discussed.
Comments
6 responses to “Greenhouse Effect PV=nRT”
Damned deniers! LOL
The whole study of climate is in its infancy. And due to the complexity of the system they are trying to model, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the models haven’t proved accurate to date.
The models used to predict climate change (aka global warming) are linear in nature and will automatically show global warming with increases of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The fact that these models are quite complex and purport to address all factors concerning weather and climate doesn’t mean they have done so correctly. The critics of these models are pointing out that climate isn’t linear and that the models don’t properly address or include certain factors, and that therefore the models are likely flawed.
Skepticism toward the dooms day predictions made by climatologists and trumpeted by environmental extremists is warranted here because the models haven’t been accurate to date.
I can’t really follow all of the fancier math here http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/01/23/the-mystery-of-equation-8/, but I would love to hear Simon’s critique of Eschenbach’s criticisms.
hmi,
Post them one at a time and I’ll answer. WE and I are on speaking terms – but barely. He refers to the way I think as “EE thinking”.
Thermodynamics is probably one of the most difficult subjects in the physical sciences.
Class average in my thermo classes was about 55. At least two of my thermo classmates went on to medical school.
Thermodynamics is probably one of the most difficult subjects in the physical sciences.
My employer has some basic engineering classes for new employees. Instead of taking the courses, employees can opt to take a challenge test to place out of it. Ten challenged it during my first year here, including me. I and one other were the only two to pass it.
My personal favorite was when they floated that the Global Worming Pause was caused by the lower levels of the oceans heating up.
You see, heat traveled through the upper layers, without warming them, to get to the lower levels.
That’s science the way an Errol Flynn movie is history.
In my household, we follow the laws of thermodynamics.
Too bad it’s no longer Scientific!!! to do so.