Energy Transfer by Infrared Bands

The energy transfer between air layers, and that between an air layer and black surface, are examined for a schematic rotation-vibration band of a gas whose mixing ratio decreases with height. It is found, in general, that most transfer is due to the central portions of moderately weak lines. Small errors in transmission functions may lead to large errors in energy transfer, especially in the upper half of the atmosphere. This is particularly true of the “black line-center” approximation.