Why is the polar climate so different from the equatorial climate? INCOMING SOLAR RADIATION (INSOLATION)

What is Radiation? Radiation is the flow of energy as electromagnetic waves, such as visible light. Why is the polar climate so different from the equatorial climate?

What is Insolation? The sun’s electromagnetic energy that reaches the earth is called insolation (Incoming Solar Radiation) Why is the polar climate so different from the equatorial climate?

What is Insolation? Incoming Solar Radiation takes on two forms: light and heat. Why is the polar climate so different from the equatorial climate?

What is the Angle of Insolation? The angle of insolation depends on how high the sun is in the sky. Why is the polar climate so different from the equatorial climate?

QUESTIONS AND ANALYSIS 1.At what latitude was the angle of the sun’s rays greatest? 2.At what latitude was the angle of the sun’s rays least? 3.What happened to the temperature as latitude increased?

QUESTIONS AND ANALYSIS 4.Describe the relationship between latitude and the rate of heating. 5.How does the angle at which the sun’s rays strike the earth’s surface affect the intensity of the sunlight?

QUESTIONS AND ANALYSIS 4.Describe the relationship between latitude and the rate of heating. The rate of heating is much greater when closer to the equator. As you approach higher latitudes, the rate of heating decreases. 5.How does the angle at which the sun’s rays strike the earth’s surface affect the intensity of the sunlight? The higher the angle at which the sun’s rays strike the earth’s surface, the higher the intensity of sunlight. The lower the angle, the more the sun’s rays strike at a slant and the lesser is the intensity of sunlight.

QUESTIONS AND ANALYSIS 4.Now answer the big question: Why is the polar climate (Climate at the poles) so different from the equatorial climate? (Use the term angle of insolation in your answer).

QUESTIONS AND ANALYSIS 4.Now answer the big question: Why is the polar climate (Climate at the poles) so different from the equatorial climate? (Use the term angle of insolation in your answer). Angles of insolation have a major effect on climate and are therefore of immense interest to climatologists and meteorologists. As latitude increases ( Poles are at 90 degrees), the angle of insolation generally decreases. The Poles have the lowest angle of insolation (0 degrees) meaning they receive the lowest amount of heat and light. Therefore, the Poles will have a colder climate than the equator.

What is radiation? Earth’s primary source of energy is the sun. However, the energy has to travel through millions of kilometers of empty space to reach Earth. Radiation is the flow of energy as electromagnetic waves such as visible light. Radiation can travel through space or transparent materials such as air. Why is the polar climate so different from the equatorial climate?