Which of the following statements regarding insolation is/are correct?
- 1. Insolation is predominantly short-wave radiation, with wavelengths in the range of 0.39 micrometre to 0.76 micrometre.
- 2. Insolation is evenly distributed across the Earth because of the Earth’s curved surface.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2024
2. The Earth’s curved surface means that the angle at which solar rays strike the surface varies with latitude. Rays hit more directly (perpendicularly) near the equator and more obliquely near the poles, spreading the energy over a larger area and thus reducing the intensity per unit area at higher latitudes. This, along with atmospheric effects and albedo differences, leads to significant variations in insolation received across the globe, making the distribution uneven.