CH 1: The Earth's energy
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Questions and Answers

Why are the temperatures near the equator warmer compared to the temperatures near the poles?

  • Ice and snow reflect solar radiation at the equator.
  • The Earth's surface absorbs more long-wave infrared energy near the equator.
  • The Sun's rays hit the Earth's surface more obliquely at the equator.
  • The Sun's rays hit the Earth's surface more directly at the equator. (correct)

    • How does insulation vary with latitude?

  • It increases as you move towards the poles from the equator.
  • It decreases as you move away from the equator towards the poles. (correct)
  • It remains constant regardless of the latitude.
  • It is not related to latitude.

    • What effect does ice and snow have on energy absorption in regions near the poles?

  • They increase energy absorption by trapping heat.
  • They have no effect on energy absorption.
  • They reflect solar radiation back into space. (correct)
  • They absorb more energy compared to other regions.

    • How does the Earth's surface contribute to heating the atmosphere?

    <p>By absorbing short-wave radiation and re-radiating it as long-wave infrared energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do cooler temperatures prevail at higher latitudes near the poles?

    <p>Less solar radiation is absorbed due to a larger area covered by oblique sun rays near the poles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns play in transporting heat on Earth?

    <p>They transport heat from the equator towards the poles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the Coriolis effect play in oceanic circulation?

    <p>Influences the direction of ocean currents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor driving the circulation of warm water from the tropics towards the poles in oceans?

    <p>Salinity differences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does warm air behave at the equator in terms of its movement?

    <p>It rises and moves towards the poles at high altitudes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the tilt of the Earth's axis cause in terms of seasonal variations?

    <p>Seasonal variations in insolation and temperatures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily responsible for redistributing heat across the globe through atmospheric circulation?

    <p>Differences in air pressure and temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for the warmer temperatures near the equator?

    <p>Direct impact of the Sun's rays leading to higher energy absorption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the overall warmth of the planet by heating the atmosphere from below?

    <p>The re-radiated lower energy, long-wave infrared energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do cooler temperatures prevail at higher latitudes near the poles?

    <p>Less energy absorption due to a more oblique angle at which the Sun's rays strike</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of higher latitudes near the poles contributes to the reduction in energy absorption?

    <p>Increased reflective properties of ice and snow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the angle of incidence of the Sun's rays affect energy absorption at different latitudes?

    <p>It reduces energy absorption at higher latitudes near the poles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does ice and snow have on solar energy reaching certain regions near the poles?

    <p>Reflects solar radiation back into space</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the process of re-radiation impact the temperature distribution on Earth?

    <p>It contributes to cooling at higher latitudes near the poles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one significant role played by atmospheric circulation patterns influenced by unequal heating on Earth?

    <p>Transporting heat from equator towards poles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does insolation vary across different latitudes around the globe?

    <p>It varies significantly with latitude</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Coriolis effect influence oceanic circulation patterns?

    <p>By inducing currents to curve due to Earth's rotation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of deep ocean currents in transferring heat globally?

    <p>Aiding in redistributing heat based on water density differences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes atmospheric circulation's role in heat redistribution?

    <p>Movement of warm air towards low-pressure areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during each hemisphere's summer regarding sunlight and temperatures?

    <p>More direct sunlight and warmer temperatures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary driver of insolation differences at different latitudes on Earth?

    <p>The angle at which solar radiation strikes the Earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do oceanic surface currents play in Earth's temperature distribution?

    <p>Balancing heat between hemispheres</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do solstices differ from equinoxes in terms of sunlight received at different latitudes?

    <p>Solstices have extreme daylight variations between hemispheres.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary driving force behind the movement of heat from the tropics towards the poles in oceanic circulation?

    <p>Differences in water density caused by salinity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What seasonal phenomenon is responsible for equal day and night lengths globally during equinoxes?

    <p>Direct alignment of the Sun over the equator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns contribute to Earth's climate system?

    <p>By redistributing heat across the globe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives the movement of warm air from the equator towards the poles in atmospheric circulation?

    <p>Unequal heating causing air to rise and move towards the poles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does deep oceanic circulation play in transferring heat globally?

    <p>Moving cold water from high latitudes back towards the equator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Coriolis effect influence oceanic currents' direction in the southern hemisphere?

    <p>Inducing clockwise rotation of currents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes Earth's axial tilt during solstices?

    <p>Maximum tilt towards or away from the Sun</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do polar regions experience cooler temperatures despite being exposed to solar radiation?

    <p>'Albedo effect' reflecting sunlight off ice and snow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does warm surface water from tropical regions affect global temperature distribution?

    <p>'Gulf Stream' transferring heat towards higher latitudes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes significantly to sustaining life on Earth through climate regulation mechanisms involving heat redistribution?

    <p>Unequal heating driving atmospheric and oceanic circulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the angle at which the Sun's rays strike the Earth have on energy absorption?

    <p>Leads to higher energy absorption near the equator and lower absorption near the poles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the reflective properties of ice and snow affect energy absorption in polar regions?

    <p>Reduces energy absorption by reflecting solar radiation back into space</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for the warmer temperatures near the equator?

    <p>Direct impact of the Sun's rays resulting in higher energy absorption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does insolation vary with latitude?

    <p>Decreases at higher latitudes and increases near the equator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does atmospheric re-radiation play in heating Earth's atmosphere?

    <p>It heats the atmosphere by converting high-energy radiation to lower energy infrared radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do cooler temperatures generally prevail at higher latitudes near the poles?

    <p>Oblique angle at which the Sun's rays hit the Earth leading to less energy absorption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns that transport heat from the equator towards the poles?

    <p>Differential heating due to the angle of Sun's rays</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one outcome of insolation being highest at different latitudes?

    <p>Different climate zones across the globe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Earth’s surface contribute to climate variation?

    <p>By absorbing and re-radiating solar energy differently based on latitude.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of atmospheric circulation in the Earth's climate system?

    <p>Creating a cycle of air movement that helps redistribute heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Coriolis effect influence oceanic circulation patterns?

    <p>Making currents curve to the right in the southern hemisphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of deep ocean currents on global heat transfer?

    <p>Aiding in transferring heat globally</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which celestial event does one hemisphere experience maximally tilted exposure to the Sun?

    <p>Solstice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do tropical regions generally absorb more energy than they lose?

    <p>Through receiving more direct sunlight during their respective summers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for the cooler temperatures experienced at higher latitudes near the poles?

    <p>Lower insolation compared to equatorial regions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the reflective nature of ice and snow have on energy absorption in polar regions?

    <p>It reduces energy absorption by reflecting solar radiation back into space</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Earth's surface contribute to heating the atmosphere?

    <p>By absorbing high energy radiation and re-radiating it as lower energy infrared energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives the movement of heat from the equator towards the poles through atmospheric circulation?

    <p>Atmospheric pressure differences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does insolation vary with latitude on Earth?

    <p>Insolation decreases as latitude increases from equator towards poles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What global phenomenon results in the tropics absorbing more energy than they lose and the polar regions losing more energy than they gain?

    <p>Insolation variability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives the movement of heat from areas of surplus (tropics) to areas of deficit (poles) through atmospheric circulation mechanisms?

    <p>Differences in air pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of solstices in terms of Earth's hemispheres?

    <p>Maximal tilt towards the Sun</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What plays a crucial role in transferring heat from the tropics towards the poles in the oceans?

    <p>Salinity changes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key factor causes warmer temperatures near the equator compared to regions near the poles?

    <p>Insolation intensity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do polar regions receive less energy absorption despite being exposed to solar radiation?

    <p>The Sun's rays strike the Earth at a more oblique angle, spreading energy over a larger area.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the Earth's surface have on heating the atmosphere?

    <p>It absorbs high energy, short-wave radiation and re-radiates it as lower energy, long-wave infrared energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does insolation vary with latitude on Earth?

    <p>Near the equator, insolation is higher as the Sun's rays strike the surface more directly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes significantly to maintaining Earth's climate zones across the globe?

    <p>Unequal heating of the Earth's surface due to varying angle of Sun's rays.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary factor influencing the disparity in surface temperatures between equatorial and polar regions?

    <p>The angle at which the Sun's rays hit the Earth's surface leading to unequal heating.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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