Whats the role of the atmosphere and oceans on the average temperature on earth?
The atmosphere is an insulating blanket protecting the earth.The intensity of sun’s radiation diminishes considerably while passing through the atmosphere.Absorption and scattering by the molecule matter such as dust and smoke,and reflection from clouds if present,all share in reducing the intensity of the down-ward moving solar radiation.Threfore the atmosphere keeps the temperature(hence the average temperature) within a tolerable limit. For example, Mercury has no atmosphere.Its day time temperature is 430 degree celcius and night time temperature is –170(minus 170) degree celcius.Such a large variation is due to absence of atmosphere. Further the water vapour in the atmosphere controls the long-wave radiation(reflected radiation from the surface)balance of the atmosphere.The water vapour thus affects the heat balance conditions of the earth-atmosphere system by the powerful absorption of heat in the course of evaporation and sublimation from liquid water and ice and by the eventua
