ESS220
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Why
Selective Absorption/Emission?
qRadiation energy
is absorbed or emitted to change the energy levels of atoms or
molecular.
qThe energy levels
of atoms and molecular are discrete but not continuous.
qTherefore, atoms
and molecular can absorb or emit certain amounts of energy that
correspond to the differences between the differences of their energy
levels.
è Absorb or emit at selective frequencies.
(from
Understanding Weather & Climate)
