Geophysics & Environmental Physics
3 terms
Earth's Energy Budget
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
W/m² (Watts per square meter)
The precise balance between incoming solar radiation absorbed by Earth and outgoing thermal infrared radiation emitted back into space.
F_solar (340 W/m²) = F_reflected (100 W/m²) + F_emitted_IR (240 W/m²)
Earth's Inner Core
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
GPa (Pressure) & Kelvin (~5700 K)
The solid, innermost spherical core of Earth composed primarily of a crystallized iron-nickel alloy at intense pressure.
Radius R ≈ 1220 km, Pressure P ≈ 330–360 GPa
Earth's Outer Core
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Pa·s (Liquid Viscosity ~10⁻³ Pa·s)
The fluid interior layer of Earth ~2,260 km thick composed of liquid iron-nickel alloy surrounding the solid inner core.
Radius ~ 3480 km to 1220 km (Liquid Iron-Nickel Alloy)