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For Researchers · Energy Balance

Energy Balance for an ocean current

Built for researchers prototyping or validating an idea. Prototype fast, reproduce exactly, and share a citable, interactive version of your model. Simulate an ocean current live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Planetary Energy BalanceLive
Equilibrium surface temperature
13.7°C
286.9 K

Controls

Presets

A planet warms until it radiates away exactly the sunlight it absorbs. Balancing absorbed power S(1−α)/4 against εσT⁴ gives the equilibrium temperature. An emissivity below 1 represents greenhouse gases trapping outgoing infrared, raising the surface temperature.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Absorbed power238 W/m²
No-greenhouse T-18.6 °C
Greenhouse warming+32.3 °C

Governing equation

Reading this result: Dropping emissivity below 1 mimics greenhouse gases: they add 32 °C on top of the -19 °C bare-rock temperature.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for researchers?
Yes — this version of "Energy Balance for an ocean current" is framed for researchers prototyping or validating an idea. Prototype fast, reproduce exactly, and share a citable, interactive version of your model.
Do I need to install anything?
No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.