Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics
It is increasingly recognized that the generic climate state is a macroscopic manifestation of a nonequilibrium thermodynamic (NT) system characterized by maximum entropy production (MEP)—a generalized second law. Through a minimal tropical/polar-band model, I show that MEP would propel low clouds t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/8/1243 |
| _version_ | 1797585513787424768 |
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| author | Hsien-Wang Ou |
| author_facet | Hsien-Wang Ou |
| author_sort | Hsien-Wang Ou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | It is increasingly recognized that the generic climate state is a macroscopic manifestation of a nonequilibrium thermodynamic (NT) system characterized by maximum entropy production (MEP)—a generalized second law. Through a minimal tropical/polar-band model, I show that MEP would propel low clouds to polar bands to symmetrize the planetary albedo, a remarkable observation that may now be explained. The prognosed polar albedo is consistent with the current observation, which moreover is little altered during the ice age of more reflective land and the early Triassic period of symmetric land, suggesting its considerable stability through Earth’s history. Climate models have not replicated the observed albedo symmetry and, given the potency of MEP in propelling clouds, it is suggested that to improve climate models, a higher premium be placed on resolving eddies—thereby encapsulating the NT—than detailed cloud physics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:08:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c10bb5459f84b19a05f85d4a1a7f136 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:08:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c10bb5459f84b19a05f85d4a1a7f1362023-11-19T00:12:32ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332023-08-01148124310.3390/atmos14081243Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium ThermodynamicsHsien-Wang Ou0Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USAIt is increasingly recognized that the generic climate state is a macroscopic manifestation of a nonequilibrium thermodynamic (NT) system characterized by maximum entropy production (MEP)—a generalized second law. Through a minimal tropical/polar-band model, I show that MEP would propel low clouds to polar bands to symmetrize the planetary albedo, a remarkable observation that may now be explained. The prognosed polar albedo is consistent with the current observation, which moreover is little altered during the ice age of more reflective land and the early Triassic period of symmetric land, suggesting its considerable stability through Earth’s history. Climate models have not replicated the observed albedo symmetry and, given the potency of MEP in propelling clouds, it is suggested that to improve climate models, a higher premium be placed on resolving eddies—thereby encapsulating the NT—than detailed cloud physics.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/8/1243albedo symmetrycloud distributionnonequilibrium thermodynamicsmaximum entropy production |
| spellingShingle | Hsien-Wang Ou Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics Atmosphere albedo symmetry cloud distribution nonequilibrium thermodynamics maximum entropy production |
| title | Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics |
| title_full | Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics |
| title_fullStr | Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics |
| title_short | Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics |
| title_sort | hemispheric symmetry of planetary albedo a corollary of nonequilibrium thermodynamics |
| topic | albedo symmetry cloud distribution nonequilibrium thermodynamics maximum entropy production |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/8/1243 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hsienwangou hemisphericsymmetryofplanetaryalbedoacorollaryofnonequilibriumthermodynamics |