<p>Yes, these are the correct terms.  The first equation is generally termed the 'surface radiation budget' and the second the 'surface energy budget'.</p>

<p>As @Deditos pointed out, additional terms for biological storage and flux can be added and are in fact important sources when considering a microclimate, and these would generally be placed into the surface energy budget.</p>

<p>Another form of the first equation is</p>

<p>Rn = ϵLW↓ − σϵT_s^4 + (1−α)SW↓</p>

<p>Where ϵ is the longwave emissivity of the surface, σ is the Stephan-Boltzman constant, T_s is the surface temperature, and α is the albedo (see <a href="http://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/2/2/103/htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Huber et al.</a>, section 3.2).</p>

<p>In certain circumstances, it is useful to set them equal to each other by solving for Rn, so you may also see</p>

<p>ϵLW↓ − σϵT_s^4 + (1−α)SW↓ = G + H + LE + (S + B)</p>

<p>Where B is the biological flux.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-02T12:56:04.760Z
2018-03-02T13:39:39.530Z
2018-03-02T13:39:39.530Z
DavidH
<p>Could not find these in my book but I found something I think might them online (is this correct):</p>

<p>Net radiation balance:
R_NET = SW↓ - SW↑ + LW↓ - LW↑</p>

<p>Complete energy balance:
R_NET  - G = H  + LE</p>

<p>Were H and LE are sensible and latent heat fluxes, and G is the ground heat flux.</p>

<p>Are these right?</p>

<p>Please help</p>

<p>Thank you</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-01T23:49:30.560Z
That can't be answer unless you specify the kind of surface you are talking about (dry, wet, ice) and what the letters means. SW and LW are pretty standard. But what are G, H and LE?
Camilo Rada
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-02T09:13:03.187Z
H and LE are sensible and latent heat.
Communisty
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-02T09:53:43.520Z
And G is ground heat flux.  There's sometimes also an S for above-ground storage heat flux (in biomass, concrete, etc) and very occasionally a biochemical storage flux term (i.e., photosynthesis).
Deditos
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-02T16:36:51.290Z
@CamiloRada I believe this applies to most surfaces.  As Deditos identified, there can be extra flux terms, but the original terms hold valid in any situation regardless of surface type.
DavidH
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-02T17:35:26.203Z
@DavidH After the terms have been explained I would agree with you. I'm only familiar with glacier energy balance, and beside using other letters for each term, we usually write it differently, splitting some terms into two or more components for independent processes and usually writing it to solve for the energy available for melting.
Camilo Rada
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-02T17:41:19.087Z
@CamiloRada I understand now.  We will do the same thing in climate studies.  For instance, splitting LE into direct evaporation from soils and transpiration from plants.
DavidH
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-04T17:14:45.483Z
Just as an update to this question, it was confirmed that the first one is the **net radiation balance at the surface equation** and for the **complete radiation balance at the surface** that is: E = R_net + H + LE + G but G + 0 = 0 over long periods therefore the equation is simplified to E = R_net + H + LE = 0
yre
<climate-change><geography>
Are these the net radiation at surface, and the complete energy balance at surface?
yre
# Are these the net radiation at surface, and the complete energy balance at surface?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-01)

Could not find these in my book but I found something I think might them online (is this correct):

Net radiation balance:
R\_NET = SW↓ - SW↑ + LW↓ - LW↑

Complete energy balance:
R\_NET - G = H + LE

Were H and LE are sensible and latent heat fluxes, and G is the ground heat flux.

Are these right?

Please help

Thank you

**Tags:** climate-change, geography

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: That can't be answer unless you specify the kind of surface you are talking about (dry, wet, ice) and what the letters means. SW and LW are pretty standard. But what are G, H and LE?  
> **username_2**: H and LE are sensible and latent heat.  
> **username_3**: And G is ground heat flux.  There's sometimes also an S for above-ground storage heat flux (in biomass, concrete, etc) and very occasionally a biochemical storage flux term (i.e., photosynthesis).  
> **username_4**: @username_1 I believe this applies to most surfaces.  As username_3 identified, there can be extra flux terms, but the original terms hold valid in any situation regardless of surface type.  
> **username_1**: @username_4 After the terms have been explained I would agree with you. I'm only familiar with glacier energy balance, and beside using other letters for each term, we usually write it differently, splitting some terms into two or more components for independent processes and usually writing it to solve for the energy available for melting.  
> **username_4**: @username_1 I understand now.  We will do the same thing in climate studies.  For instance, splitting LE into direct evaporation from soils and transpiration from plants.  
> **username_0**: Just as an update to this question, it was confirmed that the first one is the **net radiation balance at the surface equation** and for the **complete radiation balance at the surface** that is: E = R_net + H + LE + G but G + 0 = 0 over long periods therefore the equation is simplified to E = R_net + H + LE = 0  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-03-02. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Yes, these are the correct terms. The first equation is generally termed the 'surface radiation budget' and the second the 'surface energy budget'.

As @username_3 pointed out, additional terms for biological storage and flux can be added and are in fact important sources when considering a microclimate, and these would generally be placed into the surface energy budget.

Another form of the first equation is

Rn = ϵLW↓ − σϵT\_s^4 + (1−α)SW↓

Where ϵ is the longwave emissivity of the surface, σ is the Stephan-Boltzman constant, T\_s is the surface temperature, and α is the albedo (see [Huber et al.](http://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/2/2/103/htm), section 3.2).

In certain circumstances, it is useful to set them equal to each other by solving for Rn, so you may also see

ϵLW↓ − σϵT\_s^4 + (1−α)SW↓ = G + H + LE + (S + B)

Where B is the biological flux.


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