Re: [Phys-l] Greenhouse effect / 2nd law

[Bernard Cleyet <bernardcleyet@redshift.com>]

On 2011, Apr 26, , at 14:46, Dan Schroeder wrote:

> On Apr 25, 2011, at 6:47 pm, John Denker wrote:
>
> > If/when there is some humidity in the air, nighttime temperatures
> > do not drop nearly so much.
>
> Although the greenhouse effect plays a role here, I think the more important factor is condensation. Once the temperature drops to the dew point, further heat loss merely causes more water vapor to condense, with little effect on air temperature.
>
> Dan


There's another phase change, which explains why it's so difficult to have solid precipitation on the California coast.


bc sometimes yearns for England.