82 Questions
What is the term for the energy received by the earth from the sun?
Insolation
On which date is the earth farthest from the sun during its revolution?
4th July
What factor masks the variation in solar output that occurs due to the earth's distance from the sun?
Distribution of land and sea
Which of the following does not cause variations in the amount and intensity of solar radiation received by the earth?
The distance from the moon
What is the position called when the earth is nearest to the sun during its revolution?
Perihelion
Which factor influences the variability of insolation at the surface of the earth in terms of its aspect?
The configuration of the land
Which factor influences the temperature of a place by heating up the atmosphere from below?
Altitude of the place
What is the vertical decrease in temperature of the troposphere called?
Normal lapse rate
In which month does the thermal equator lie to the south of the geographical equator as a result of the apparent movement of the sun?
January
What phenomenon occurs when warm air lies over cold air, leading to an increase in temperature with altitude?
Inversion of temperature
What is the main effect of inversion of temperature on air movement?
Prevents clouds from growing high enough to produce showers
During which month are isotherms more or less parallel to the latitudes?
July
What does the presence of warm ocean currents do to the temperature of places located on the coast?
Increases temperature
What causes a deviation in the trend of isotherms, particularly in January in the northern hemisphere?
Warm ocean currents
What causes dense fogs in the mornings, especially during winter?
Accumulation of smoke and dust particles below the inversion layer.
What phenomenon takes place due to air drainage in hills and mountains during winter nights?
Valley Inversion
What does clear sky allow which leads to a lower temperature at low levels?
Higher amounts of terrestrial radiation to escape.
What influence does distance from the sea have on temperature?
Increases temperature near land.
What does the tilted position of the earth’s axis influence?
The amount of insolation received at different places
Why do slant sun rays result in less net energy received per area?
They cover more area than the vertical rays
What causes the blue color of the sky and the red color of the rising and setting sun?
Scattering of light within the atmosphere
Which region receives the least amount of insolation?
Poles
What process is responsible for heating up the atmosphere from below through long wave radiations?
Terrestrial radiation
What is the term for the flow of energy from the warmer to the cooler body resulting in both bodies attaining the same temperature?
Conduction
What is responsible for most of the diurnal changes in middle latitude regions?
Advection
What factor explains how the earth maintains its temperature despite the huge transfer of heat?
Heat budget
Why does some part of the earth have a surplus radiation balance while others have a deficit?
Due to variation in net heat budget at different latitudes
What factor influences temperature based on solar radiation received?
Latitude of the place
What causes variation in insolation according to latitude?
Angle of incidence of solar radiation
Why is advection relatively more important than convection in middle latitude regions?
Due to limited vertical extent of convective currents in these regions
What term is used to describe the energy received by the earth from the sun?
Insolation
During which position in its revolution around the sun is the earth farthest from the sun?
Aphelion
What factor causes the variability of insolation at the surface of the earth due to the angle of inclination of the sun's rays?
The angle of inclination of the rays of the sun
What factor masks the variation in solar output due to the earth's distance from the sun?
Distribution of land and sea
Which phenomenon causes variation in insolation according to latitude?
Distribution of land and sea
What factor influences temperature based on solar radiation received?
The angle of inclination of the sun's rays
What is the term used to describe the vertical decrease in temperature of the troposphere?
Lapse rate
Why do places near the sea generally have a higher temperature compared to places at higher altitudes?
The sea heats up quickly and loses heat slowly
In which month are the isotherms more or less parallel to the latitudes?
July
What phenomenon takes place due to air drainage in hills and mountains during winter nights?
Valley inversion
Why do slant sun rays result in less net energy received per area?
Because the rays have to travel through a larger section of the atmosphere
Which factor influences the temperature of a place by heating up the atmosphere from below?
Terrestrial radiation
What causes dense fogs in the mornings, especially during winter?
Inversion of temperature
What is responsible for most of the diurnal changes in middle latitude regions?
Terrestrial radiation
What factor masks the variation in solar output that occurs due to the earth's distance from the sun?
Atmospheric refraction
What is responsible for heating up the atmosphere from below through long wave radiations?
Land surface
What angle does the earth's rotation axis make with the plane of its orbit around the sun?
66.5°
Why do slant sun rays cover more area than the vertical rays?
They have to pass through a greater depth of the atmosphere
Where is the amount of solar radiation received at the surface of the earth the least?
Poles
What is the term for the energy received by the earth from the sun?
Insolation
What percentage of solar radiation reaching the earth's atmosphere is reflected back to space?
35%
What phenomenon occurs when warm air lies over cold air, leading to an increase in temperature with altitude?
Inversion
What causes a deviation in the trend of isotherms, particularly in January in the northern hemisphere?
Variation in solar output due to earth's distance from the sun
What phenomenon takes place due to air drainage in hills and mountains during winter nights?
Inversion
Which factor influences temperature based on solar radiation received?
Latitude of the place
What factor masks the variation in solar output that occurs due to earth's distance from the sun?
Atmospheric absorption
Why does some part of the earth have a surplus radiation balance while others have a deficit?
Latitude variations
What causes dense fogs in the mornings, especially during winter?
Inversion process
What factor causes the most variation in insolation at the surface of the earth?
The angle of inclination of the rays of the sun
Why does the variation in solar output due to the earth's distance from the sun not greatly affect daily weather changes?
Because of the distribution of land and sea
Which position is called aphelion in the revolution of the earth around the sun?
4th July (152 million km)
What is responsible for heating up the atmosphere from below through long wave radiations?
The configuration of the land in terms of its aspect
What is the main cause of variability in insolation during a day, in a season, and in a year?
The angle of inclination of the rays of the sun
What phenomenon occurs when warm air lies over cold air, leading to an increase in temperature with altitude?
Inversion
What is the main factor influencing the temperature of a place near the sea compared to the places at higher altitudes?
Distance from the sea
What is responsible for the vertical decrease in temperature of the troposphere?
Solar radiation received
What effect do warm ocean currents have on the temperature of places located on the coast?
Increases temperature
During which month are the isotherms more or less parallel to the latitudes?
July
What phenomenon occurs when warm air lies over cold air, leading to an increase in temperature with altitude?
Inversion of temperature
What factor explains how the earth maintains its temperature despite the huge transfer of heat?
Inversion of temperature
What causes dense fogs in the mornings, especially during winter?
"Inversion of temperature"
What phenomenon takes place due to air drainage in hills and mountains during winter nights?
"Inversion of temperature"
Which factor influences the variability of insolation at the surface of the earth in terms of its aspect?
Angle of inclination of sun's rays
Why do places near the sea generally have a higher temperature compared to places at higher altitudes?
The location influences solar radiation received.
What causes a deviation in the trend of isotherms, particularly in January in the northern hemisphere?
Land surface area differences
What is the term for the energy received by the earth from the sun?
Insolation
Why do slant sun rays result in less net energy received per area?
They pass through a greater depth of the atmosphere
What phenomenon occurs when warm air lies over cold air, leading to an increase in temperature with altitude?
Advection
What factor explains how the earth maintains its temperature despite the huge transfer of heat?
Heat budget
What angle does the earth's rotation axis make with the plane of its orbit around the sun?
66.5°
What process is responsible for heating up the atmosphere from below through long wave radiations?
Terrestrial radiation
What does clear sky allow which leads to a lower temperature at low levels?
Less atmospheric absorption
Study Notes
Solar Radiation and Insolation
- The term for the energy received by the earth from the sun is insolation.
- The earth is farthest from the sun on July 4th, and nearest on January 3rd.
- The tilt of the earth's axis (23.5°) masks the variation in solar output due to the earth's distance from the sun.
Factors Influencing Insolation
- Latitude causes variation in insolation, with the equator receiving the most insolation.
- Angle of inclination of the sun's rays influences the variability of insolation at the surface of the earth.
- Aspect influences the variability of insolation at the surface of the earth.
- Distance from the sea influences temperature, with places near the sea generally having a higher temperature.
- Altitude influences temperature, with places at higher altitudes having lower temperatures.
Atmospheric Heating and Cooling
- Long wave radiations heat up the atmosphere from below.
- Clear sky allows radiation to escape, leading to a lower temperature at low levels.
- Advection is relatively more important than convection in middle latitude regions.
- Convection heats up the atmosphere from below.
Temperature and Climate
- Temperature inversion occurs when warm air lies over cold air, leading to an increase in temperature with altitude.
- Advection and convection influence the temperature of a place.
- Distance from the sea and altitude influence temperature.
- Latitude influences temperature, with the equator having the highest temperatures.
Other Phenomena
- Dense fogs occur in the mornings, especially during winter, due to radiation cooling.
- Air drainage in hills and mountains during winter nights leads to a temperature decrease.
- Isotherms are more or less parallel to the latitudes in January in the northern hemisphere.
- The thermal equator lies to the south of the geographical equator in January due to the apparent movement of the sun.
Test your knowledge about solar radiation and the earth's distance from the sun during aphelion and perihelion positions. Learn about insolation and incoming solar radiation.
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