THERMODYNAMICS OF A GLOBAL-MEAN STATE OF THE ATMOSPHERE - A STATE OF MAXIMUM-ENTROPY INCREASE

Vertical heat transport through thermal convection of the earth's atmo sphere is investigated from a thermodynamic viewpoint. The postulate f or convection considered here is that the global-mean state of the atm osphere is stabilized at a state of maximum entropy increase in a whol e system through convective transport of sensible and latent heal from the earth's surface into outer space. Results of an investigation usi ng a simple vertical gray atmosphere show the existence of a unique se t of vertical distributions of air temperature and of convective and r adiative heat fluxes that represents a state of maximum entropy increa se and that resembles the present earth. It is suggested that the glob al-mean state of the atmospheric convection of the earth, and that of other planets, is stabilized so as to increase entropy in the universe at a possible maximum rate.