1. What is Pond Evaporation Rate?

The evaporation rate of a pond measures how quickly water is lost to the atmosphere through evaporation. It depends on solar radiation, heat loss, and the latent heat of vaporization of water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the evaporation rate equation:

Where:

• \( \text{Solar Radiation} \) — Incident solar energy (W/m²)
• \( \text{Heat Loss} \) — Energy lost to surroundings (W/m²)
• \( \text{Latent Heat} \) — Energy required for phase change (J/kg)

Explanation: The equation calculates the net energy available for evaporation divided by the energy required to evaporate each kilogram of water.

3. Importance of Evaporation Rate Calculation

Details: Understanding evaporation rates helps in water resource management, agricultural planning, and maintaining ecological balance in aquatic systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter solar radiation and heat loss in W/m², latent heat in J/kg (default is 2,260,000 J/kg for water). All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical solar radiation for ponds?
A: Varies by location and season, typically 100-1000 W/m² during daylight hours.

Q2: How to estimate heat loss?
A: Heat loss includes conduction, convection and radiation - often 10-50% of solar radiation.

Q3: Why is latent heat important?
A: It represents the energy needed to change water from liquid to vapor phase without temperature change.

Q4: How does wind affect evaporation?
A: Wind increases evaporation by removing humid air, but this simplified model doesn't include wind effects.

Q5: Can this be used for large bodies of water?
A: For large lakes, more complex models considering temperature gradients may be needed.