Name LAB 2: Earth Sun Relations The amount of solar energy striking the Earth\'s
ID: 290462 • Letter: N
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Name LAB 2: Earth Sun Relations The amount of solar energy striking the Earth's atmosphere is not uniform; distances angles and seasons play a dominant role on this distribution of radiation. Needless to say, the distribution is unequal, and Solar Radiation at any location on the earth's Surface/Atmosphere is determined by the Suns intensity and duration. This lab will examine what happens to solar radiation as it enters and interacts with the Earth system, as well as examine the effects that the sun angle has on intensity and duration of solar radiation. Before beginning, it is fair to assume that the earth's weather and temperature is a direct reaction of the earth sun relations- so what does that mean? Equator Antarctico Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a particular place for a short period of time. The condition of the atmosphere at any place and time is described by measuring the four basic elements of weather: temperature, humidity, air pressure, and wind. Of all the controls that are responsible for causing global variations in the weather elements, the amount of solar radiation received at any location is certainly one of the most important. Temperature is an important element of weather and climate because it greatly influences air pressure, wind, and the amount of moisture in the air. The single greatest cause of temperature variations over the surface of Earth is differences in the reception of solar radiation. Secondary factors such as the differential heating of land and water, ocean currents, and altitude can also modify local temperatures. The unequal heating that takes place over the surface of the Earth is what sets the atmosphere in motion, and the movement of air is what brings changes in our weather. The two most important factors when understanding solar radiation are: Patrich Phvsical Geopranhv Lah 11 Energy BudgetExplanation / Answer
The two most important factor when understanding solar radiation are:
1. The latitude of the place which decides the angle of incidence of the solar radiation.
2. Time of the year, since the path of earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical, sometimes during perihelion the earth is closer to the sun and another time during aphelion it is away. Thus distance between the earth and the sun is not constant and this distance effects the amount of incoming solar radiation.
3. About 51% of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed at the surface of the earth, which causes heating of the earth's surface. This energy is reradiated by earth's surface.
4. Total energy reflected = energy reflected by atmosphere+ energy reflected by clouds+energy reflected by the earth's surface =6+20+4=30%
5. Solar energy reflected in atmosphere is chiefly due to the gas molecules present in the atmosphere. The clouds are composed of tiny ice crystals and reflected solar radiation very effectively. Earth's surface is not even but composed of different materials. Each mattering has its own reflectance or albedo.
6. The energy of solar radiation is absorbed at atmosphere by greenhouse gases which either simply absorb energy and increase their motion or go on through photochemical dissociation and affect the ozone layer. At the surface much energy is absorbed by the water bodies during evaporation leading to formation of clouds.
7. Scattering is mainly due to gas molecules, water vapour and aerosols present in the atmosphere. These molecules having their wavelengths in the range of the wavelengths of the incoming solar radiation, act as hindrance and causes scattering around them. Many phenomenon such as blue sky, red sunrise and sunset are all caused by this scattering.
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