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Questions and Answers
What percentage of the sun’s energy comes in the form of visible light rays?
What percentage of the sun’s energy comes in the form of visible light rays?
What is the approximate number of days it takes the Earth to complete one full revolution around the sun?
What is the approximate number of days it takes the Earth to complete one full revolution around the sun?
What is the primary source of energy on our planet?
What is the primary source of energy on our planet?
What occurs when the sun's rays strike the Earth at a perpendicular angle?
What occurs when the sun's rays strike the Earth at a perpendicular angle?
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What is the term for the closest point in the Earth's orbit around the sun?
What is the term for the closest point in the Earth's orbit around the sun?
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What is the duration of the Earth's rotation on its axis?
What is the duration of the Earth's rotation on its axis?
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What is the term for the rate of energy received by a planet from the sun?
What is the term for the rate of energy received by a planet from the sun?
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During which days would the Earth's axis be tilted at its maximum angle?
During which days would the Earth's axis be tilted at its maximum angle?
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What is the primary reason for the difference in daylight hours between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
What is the primary reason for the difference in daylight hours between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
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Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the intensity of incoming solar radiation?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the intensity of incoming solar radiation?
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What is the purpose of measuring the solar constant outside Earth's atmosphere?
What is the purpose of measuring the solar constant outside Earth's atmosphere?
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What is the relationship between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles?
What is the relationship between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles?
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What is the primary form of energy radiated by the sun into space?
What is the primary form of energy radiated by the sun into space?
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What proportion of the sun's energy falls within the visible spectrum?
What proportion of the sun's energy falls within the visible spectrum?
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At what speed does the sun's energy travel through space?
At what speed does the sun's energy travel through space?
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What is the range of wavelengths that includes all forms of the sun's energy?
What is the range of wavelengths that includes all forms of the sun's energy?
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Why is it important to measure the solar constant outside Earth's atmosphere?
Why is it important to measure the solar constant outside Earth's atmosphere?
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Which type of radiation has the shortest wavelength?
Which type of radiation has the shortest wavelength?
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What is the term for the type of radiation emitted by the Earth's surface?
What is the term for the type of radiation emitted by the Earth's surface?
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Which type of radiation is associated with the visible spectrum?
Which type of radiation is associated with the visible spectrum?
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What is the type of radiation that is used for broadcasting purposes?
What is the type of radiation that is used for broadcasting purposes?
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Which type of radiation has the longest wavelength?
Which type of radiation has the longest wavelength?
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Study Notes
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- The sun radiates electromagnetic energy at the speed of light in a range of wavelengths.
- About 41% of the sun's energy comes in as light rays that we can see, called the visible spectrum.
- The visible spectrum has specific wavelength bands that distinguish different colors.
Solar Radiation
- Solar radiation includes: Shortwave (SW) radiation, Gamma X-rays, Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, Visible light, Near infrared (IR) radiation, Longwave (LW) terrestrial radiation, Thermal infrared (IR) radiation, Microwaves, and TV and radio waves.
Earth's Movement in Space: Rotation and Revolution
- Rotation: Turning of Earth on its axis, which takes approximately 24 hours.
- Revolution: Movement around the sun, which takes approximately 365.25 days.
- Perihelion: The Earth's closest approach to the sun.
- Aphelion: The Earth's farthest distance from the sun.
- The speed of rotation varies depending on latitude.
- The circle of illumination affects the amount of daylight hours.
Insulation, Sun Angle, and Duration
- Insolation: Incoming solar radiation, which is the main source of energy on our planet.
- Seasonal variations in temperature are primarily due to fluctuations in insolation.
- A location receives more insolation if the sun's rays strike at a:
- Direct angle
- Perpendicular angle
- High altitude
- Low latitude
- Insolation changes the weather in certain locations.
The Earth-Sun System
- The sun radiates energy into space at an almost steady rate.
- A planet's rate of receiving energy from the sun is known as the solar constant.
- The solar constant has been measured with great precision outside Earth's atmosphere by satellites.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 3, covering the factors that affect solar radiation intensity and duration, and Earth's orbital positions around the sun. Learn about solar energy and its relationships with our planet. Prepare for your Cengage Chapter 3 assignment!
