Infrared Heat Transfer by Atmospheric Water Vapor

Abstract

Empirical data on transmission functions are used to set up a general program to calculate the infrared radiation flux in the atmosphere in the two major regions of water vapor absorption. These empirical data are used as input together with atmospheric soundings and the problem is solved through the use of an electronic computer. The northern hemisphere average soundings for March determined by London are used as input to the computer program and the results obtained are compared with his cooling rate calculations. The results for an additional sounding are displayed to demonstrate the effect of lapse-rate stability on cooling rate.