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How do you calculate cloud thickness?

A question asks; if 35.7% of downwelling shortwave irradiance is reduced because of the reflection of downwelling shortwave irradiance by clouds, what is the thickness of the clouds?

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  • Anonymous
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Are you asking about the optical thickness or the geometrical thickness?

    If you're looking for geometrical thickness, you've presented too little information. You also need to know how much radiation is extinguished per droplet and how many droplets there are per unit volume.

    For the optical thickness, you need to use Beer's law also known as the Beer-Lambert law. Do a quick google search for it.

    Source(s): Me. An atmospheric scientist.
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