How does heat leave the earth?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter 39ster
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Earth Heat
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on how heat escapes from the Earth, particularly in the context of the mechanisms of thermal energy transfer. Participants explore the roles of conduction, convection, and radiation in this process, with a focus on the implications of space being a vacuum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question how heat can leave the Earth given that it can only be transferred through matter, especially considering the vacuum of space outside the atmosphere.
  • Others propose that there are three primary processes for thermal energy transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation, noting that radiation does not require a medium.
  • It is mentioned that the atmosphere and the ground emit radiation, suggesting that heat loss occurs through this mechanism.
  • A participant reiterates the three methods of heat transfer, emphasizing that heat is lost by the Earth primarily through radiation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the mechanisms of heat transfer in the context of a vacuum, and while some agree on the processes involved, there is no consensus on the implications of these processes for heat loss from the Earth.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about heat transfer mechanisms and the specific conditions under which they operate, particularly in relation to the vacuum of space.

39ster
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
How does it leave the Earth if it can only be transferred through matter and there's space outside our atmosphere?
 
Science news on Phys.org
39ster said:
How does it leave the Earth if it can only be transferred through matter and there's space outside our atmosphere?
There are three processes which transfer thermal energy, namely convection, conduction and radiation, the latter of which does not require a medium.
 
The atmosphere, the ground, everything emits radiation.
 
39ster said:
How does it leave the Earth if it can only be transferred through matter and there's space outside our atmosphere?
Hi 39ster,
Basically, heat transfer takes place in 3 ways:
>Conduction (Particles of the medium do not move, but matter is required for transfer of heat
>Convection (Particles of the medium themselver transport the heat)
>Radiation (Heat transfer takes place through electromagnetic waves which do not really require a medium to propagate)
Heat is lost by the Earth through Radiation.
 

Similar threads

High School Why would an atmosphere without greenhouse gasses be colder than with them?
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
4K
Undergrad Heating gasses in space -- How could we make a greenhouse in space?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Balloon experiment - Classical Physics vs. Statistical Physics
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Undergrad Is there a way to calculate how rocket exhaust gas spreads out in empty space after leaving the rocket?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Graduate Heat Transfer - Critical Radius of Insulation
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Undergrad Effective Emission Height Calculation?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
High School Sun's Heat to Earth: Explained
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Graduate Practical use of an overall heat transfer coefficient?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
High School Opening this jar is made easier by cooling or heating?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Undergrad Heat pumps: Questions about compressor pump refrigerant gas and evaporator
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
5K