Solar Energy and Earth's Shape

Elizabeth has a Master's in Zoology from North Carolina State, one in GIS from Florida State University, and a Bachelor's in Biology from Eastern Michigan University.

The most common misconception is that Earth's orbit takes it farther away from the sun, so we get less heat.

The Equator is always warmer than the polar regions because of the angle at which the sun's rays hit Earth's surface.

<p>Solar energy is the energy that Earth receives from the sun.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Earth's shape and tilt determine the angle at which the sun's rays hit Earth's surface, which affects the transfer of solar energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The amount of solar energy received by Earth depends entirely on the angle at which the sun's rays hit Earth's surface.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The greenhouse effect is the process by which greenhouse gases trap heat under Earth's atmosphere, keeping our planet warm enough to live on. It is important for Earth's climate because without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be well below freezing and not much would be able to survive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The enhanced greenhouse effect occurs when too much heat gets trapped on Earth, leading to global climate change. Its consequences include dangerous implications for the Earth and its organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun. It warms Earth's surface, making it a hospitable planet. However, if too much solar energy gets trapped under greenhouse gases, the Earth warms too much and leads to global climate change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The angle of the sun's rays determines the seasons, day length, and regional temperatures. When the sun's rays hit the Earth at a right angle, solar energy is concentrated on a small area and temperatures are warmer. When the rays hit at a tilted angle, the same amount of solar radiation is spread over a larger area and temperatures are cooler.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The tilt of the Earth causes the seasons in temperate regions. During the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, concentrating solar energy in that region. During the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, resulting in less concentrated solar energy in that region. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are reversed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The equinoxes are the two days each year when daylight and darkness occur for equal periods of time for all regions of Earth. They signify the transition between the seasons and provide 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, even in the polar regions where 24 hours of daylight and darkness occur during the solstices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Each day, Earth receives the same total amount of solar energy. However, it is more concentrated in some places than others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cloudy days are cooler than sunny days because the planet can't absorb solar energy that isn't able to reach Earth's surface. Clouds block the direct sunlight from reaching the surface, resulting in less solar energy being absorbed and cooler temperatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The tilt of the Earth creates temperature differences across the planet. The polar regions receive the sun's rays at a tilted angle, causing the solar energy to be spread over a larger area and resulting in lower temperatures compared to the Equator.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The tilt of the Earth is responsible for the seasons in temperate regions. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it experiences winter, while during summer, it is tilted towards the sun. The opposite is true for the Southern Hemisphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The tilt of the Earth affects the amount of daylight received each day. In polar regions, there may be as much as 24 hours of daylight during summer and 24 hours of darkness during winter. The tropics along the Equator, however, experience roughly the same amount of daylight throughout the year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Solstices are the most extreme days when the tilt of the Earth is greatest relative to the sun. The summer solstice occurs around June 21st, when the area above the Arctic Circle experiences 24 hours of daylight and the area below the Antarctic Circle experiences 24 hours of darkness. The winter solstice occurs around December 21st, with the opposite conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Equinoxes occur when all across Earth, the hours of daylight and darkness are of equal length. There are two equinoxes: the vernal equinox, around March 20th, and the autumnal equinox, around September 22nd. On these days, there is an equal amount of day and night in the tropical and polar regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The sun's energy provides heat to Earth. The sun's rays penetrate the atmosphere and hit Earth's surface, some of which is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed by the Earth. The energy re-emitted from Earth's surface, called terrestrial radiation, keeps the planet warm and hospitable.</p> Signup and view all the answers