Increased Temperature and Entropy Production in the Earth’s Atmosphere: Effect on Wind, Precipitation, Chemical Reactions, Freezing and Melting of Ice and Electrical Activity

Abstract

Since the late nineteenth century, until the present time, there has been an increase in the earth’s global mean surface temperature (GMST). This temperature increase has been calculated at 0.85 ° C over the period 1880-2012. The causes of this temperature increase include increased levels of greenhouse gases (GHG’s), variations in solar irradiance and changes in absorption and re-radiation of heat. Volcanic activity and orbital cycles work to cool the earth’s surface. A thermodynamic analysis is presented of the earth’s atmosphere. The analysis demonstrates an increase in entropy production as a result of increased GMST. An equation is derived expressing entropy production in the atmosphere based on atmospheric processes (wind, precipitation, chemical reactions, electrical activity and heat transfer). The effects of increased entropy production on wind, precipitation, freezing and melting of ice, chemical reactions and electrical activity are given showing an increase in the combination of the above phenomena.