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Insolation is the amount of solar radiation that reaches a given surface area per unit time. It is measured in watts per square meter (W/m2). The amount of insolation varies depending on the time of day, the time of year, the latitude, and the presence of clouds.
Annual and daily insolation
The amount of insolation received at a given location varies throughout the year. This is because the Earth’s axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. As the Earth orbits the Sun, different parts of the Earth are tilted towards the Sun at different times of the year. This causes the amount of sunlight that reaches a given location to vary.
The amount of insolation also varies throughout the day. This is because the Earth rotates on its axis. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the Earth face the Sun. This causes the amount of sunlight that reaches a given location to vary throughout the day.
Latitudinal and seasonal distribution of insolation
The amount of insolation received at a given location also varies depending on the latitude. The higher the latitude, the less insolation is received. This is because the Sun’s rays are more spread out at higher latitudes.
The amount of insolation also varies depending on the season. The summer months receive more insolation than the winter months. This is because the Earth’s axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. In the summer, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, and in the winter, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. This causes the Northern Hemisphere to receive more sunlight in the summer and less sunlight in the winter.
Effect of Earth’s rotation on insolation
The Earth’s rotation causes the Sun to appear to move across the sky from east to west. This causes the amount of insolation received at a given location to vary throughout the day. The amount of insolation is greatest at noon and least at sunrise and sunset.
Effect of Earth’s orbit on insolation
The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle. It is slightly elliptical. This causes the Earth’s distance from the Sun to vary throughout the year. The Earth is closest to the Sun in January and farthest from the Sun in July. This causes the amount of insolation received at a given location to vary throughout the year.
Effect of atmospheric absorption and scattering on insolation
The AtmosphereAtmosphere absorbs and scatters some of the Sun’s radiation. This causes the amount of insolation that reaches the Earth’s surface to be less than the amount of insolation that is emitted by the Sun. The amount of absorption and scattering depends on the Composition of the Atmosphere. The atmosphere absorbs more of the Sun’s radiation at shorter wavelengths, such as ultraviolet radiation. The atmosphere scatters more of the Sun’s radiation at longer wavelengths, such as visible light.
Effect of clouds on insolation
Clouds reflect and absorb some of the Sun’s radiation. This causes the amount of insolation that reaches the Earth’s surface to be less than the amount of insolation that would reach the Earth’s surface if there were no clouds. The amount of reflection and absorption depends on the type of cloud. Clouds that are made of water droplets, such as cumulus clouds, reflect more of the Sun’s radiation than clouds that are made of ice crystals, such as cirrus clouds.
Effect of landforms on insolation
Landforms can affect the amount of insolation that reaches a given location. For example, mountains can block sunlight, causing the amount of insolation to be less on the side of the mountain that faces away from the Sun. Valleys can trap sunlight, causing the amount of insolation to be greater in the valley than on the surrounding land.
Effect of human activities on insolation
Human activities can also affect the amount of insolation that reaches a given location. For example, deforestation can reduce the amount of insolation that reaches the Earth’s surface by removing trees, which block sunlight. Urbanization can also reduce the amount of insolation that reaches the Earth’s surface by covering the ground with buildings and pavement, which reflect sunlight.
Annual and daily insolation
- What is insolation?
Insolation is the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. - How does insolation vary throughout the year?
Insolation varies throughout the year because the Earth’s axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. This means that the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun in the summer and away from the sun in the winter. As a result, the Northern Hemisphere receives more insolation in the summer and less insolation in the winter. - How does insolation vary throughout the day?
Insolation varies throughout the day because the Earth rotates on its axis. The side of the Earth that is facing the sun receives more insolation than the side that is facing away from the sun. As a result, insolation is highest at noon and lowest at midnight.
Latitudinal and seasonal distribution of insolation
- How does insolation vary with latitude?
Insolation varies with latitude because the Earth’s surface is curved. The sun’s rays are more direct at the equator than at the poles. As a result, the equator receives more insolation than the poles. - How does insolation vary with season?
Insolation varies with season because the Earth’s axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. This means that the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun in the summer and away from the sun in the winter. As a result, the Northern Hemisphere receives more insolation in the summer and less insolation in the winter.
Effect of Earth’s rotation on insolation
- How does the Earth’s rotation affect insolation?
The Earth’s rotation affects insolation by causing the sun to rise and set. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the Earth’s surface are exposed to the sun. This causes the amount of insolation to vary throughout the day.
Effect of Earth’s orbit on insolation
- How does the Earth’s orbit affect insolation?
The Earth’s orbit affects insolation by causing the Earth’s distance from the sun to vary. The Earth’s distance from the sun is greatest in January and least in July. As a result, the Earth receives more insolation in July and less insolation in January.
Effect of atmospheric absorption and scattering on insolation
- How does the atmosphere affect insolation?
The atmosphere affects insolation by absorbing and scattering some of the sun’s rays. This causes the amount of insolation that reaches the Earth’s surface to be less than the amount of insolation that is emitted by the sun.
Effect of clouds on insolation
- How do clouds affect insolation?
Clouds affect insolation by reflecting and absorbing some of the sun’s rays. This causes the amount of insolation that reaches the Earth’s surface to be less than the amount of insolation that is emitted by the sun.
Effect of landforms on insolation
- How do landforms affect insolation?
Landforms affect insolation by blocking and reflecting some of the sun’s rays. This causes the amount of insolation that reaches different parts of the Earth’s surface to vary.
Effect of human activities on insolation
- How do human activities affect insolation?
Human activities affect insolation by altering the Earth’s atmosphere and land surface. This can cause the amount of insolation that reaches the Earth’s surface to change. Which of the following is not a factor that affects the amount of insolation that a location receives?
(a) The Earth’s rotation
(b) The Earth’s orbit
(CC) The Earth’s atmosphere
(d) The Earth’s surfaceThe amount of insolation that a location receives varies throughout the year due to the Earth’s:
(a) Rotation
(b) Orbit
(c) Both rotation and orbit
(d) Neither rotation nor orbitThe amount of insolation that a location receives varies throughout the day due to the Earth’s:
(a) Rotation
(b) Orbit
(c) Both rotation and orbit
(d) Neither rotation nor orbitThe Earth’s atmosphere absorbs and scatters some of the incoming solar radiation. This causes:
(a) The Earth to be warmer than it would otherwise be
(b) The Earth to be cooler than it would otherwise be
(c) No change in the Earth’s temperatureClouds reflect and absorb solar radiation. This causes:
(a) The Earth to be warmer than it would otherwise be
(b) The Earth to be cooler than it would otherwise be
(c) No change in the Earth’s temperatureLandforms can block or reflect solar radiation. This causes:
(a) The Earth to be warmer in some places and cooler in others
(b) The Earth to be cooler in some places and warmer in others
(c) No change in the Earth’s temperatureHuman activities, such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, can affect the amount of insolation that the Earth receives. This is because these activities:
(a) Increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which traps heat and warms the Earth
(b) Decrease the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which allows heat to escape and cool the Earth
(c) Neither increase nor decrease the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphereThe amount of insolation that a location receives is a major factor in determining the climate of that location. This is because insolation:
(a) Provides the energy that drives the Earth’s climate system
(b) Regulates the Earth’s temperature
(c) Both provides the energy that drives the Earth’s climate system and regulates the Earth’s temperature
(d) Neither provides the energy that drives the Earth’s climate system nor regulates the Earth’s temperature