Energy naturally flows from a high potential to a lower one. The Earth is a location in the universe that has naturally high potential. Energy flows out from Earth in the form of heat radiating to outer-space. Humans quicken the release of higher pools of energy at the Earth’s surface when we burn wood or ignite gasoline. Temperature changes in the atmosphere result when there’s a mismatch between the energy released and the energy radiated.
Yet other contributors influence the atmosphere. Form Earth, Volcanoes blast molten rock up onto the Earth’s surface and release great quantities of energy over a short time. Asteroids from outer-space slam into Earth to make their own acute contribution.
The asteroid Apophis 99942 had the distinction at one time of having a very high calculated probability of hitting Earth. It’s impact velocity of 12.4 km/sec and estimated mass of 2e10kg would have added 1.6e18 Joules of energy in a very short instant. This would have to dissipate through the atmosphere and into space, likely over a very long time. People’s activity have added about the same amount of energy to the atmosphere as evident by the rise in temperature over the last century. This is certain.
Current calculations indicate Apophis will unlikely hit the Earth. But, should an asteroid strike, the Earth’s atmosphere will react. The asteroid that hit near Chicxulub released nearly 4e24 Joules of energy. A wise civilization, bent on survival, would be able to work through these acute events.
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I was just looking for something like this last week!