Podcast
Questions and Answers
What term refers to the solar radiation received in the Earth's atmosphere or its surface?
What term refers to the solar radiation received in the Earth's atmosphere or its surface?
Approximately what percentage of insolation reaches the Earth's surface?
Approximately what percentage of insolation reaches the Earth's surface?
Which of the following processes describes the reflection of solar radiation by the Earth's surface?
Which of the following processes describes the reflection of solar radiation by the Earth's surface?
What is the effect called when reflected heat is trapped in the atmosphere, keeping the planet warm?
What is the effect called when reflected heat is trapped in the atmosphere, keeping the planet warm?
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Which components contribute to the absorption or reflection of insolation before it reaches the Earth’s surface?
Which components contribute to the absorption or reflection of insolation before it reaches the Earth’s surface?
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Study Notes
Solar Energy and Insolation
- Insolation is short-wave solar energy received in the Earth's atmosphere or at its surface.
- Roughly 52% of insolation reaches the Earth's surface.
- The remaining insolation is absorbed by atmospheric elements (water vapor, dust, clouds) or reflected/scattered.
- This reflection is called albedo.
- Albedo describes the extent of diffuse reflection of sunlight by an object.
Natural Greenhouse Effect
- Reflected heat (long-wave radiation) is trapped in the atmosphere.
- This process keeps the planet warm, known as the natural greenhouse effect.
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Description
Explore the concepts of insolation and the natural greenhouse effect in this quiz. Understand how solar energy is absorbed and reflected by the Earth's atmosphere and the role of albedo in this process. Test your knowledge on the interactions between solar energy and the planet's climate.
