Absorption of Insolation by the Atmosphere AIM: How does the Earth's atmosphere absorb insolation? Absorption of Insolation by the Atmosphere How does the atmosphere absorb the incoming solar radiation (insolation) Longoria Earth Science Longoria Earth Science

Absorption of Insolation Ozone and other gases in the upper atmosphere absorb high-energy radiation, such as X rays and gamma rays. Long wave radiation, such as infrared, is absorbed by water vapor and carbon dioxide. Longoria Earth Science

Factors that determine the amount of insolation The angle of the sun Latitude Season Time of day Losses of energy passing through the atmosphere Longoria Earth Science

Longoria Earth Science

Longoria Earth Science

Factors that affect the average temperature of land and water At a given latitude, the average temperature of land and water can differ for the following four reasons: Water has a higher specific heat than soil or rock. This means that water must absorb more energy to undergo a temperature change. Water reflects low-angle insolation better than land. Longoria Earth Science

Factors that affect the average temperature of land and water Because water is transparent, insolation penetrates more deeply and more quickly than land. Convection currents in the water carry heat energy deeper than land through conduction. The result of all these factors is that land heats faster than water. Land also loses its limited heat energy more quickly, so land cools faster than water. In other words, good absorbers of energy are good radiators of energy. Longoria Earth Science

The Latitudinal Radiation Imbalance The surplus heat of the low latitude tropics must move toward the poles to balance the heat deficit in the high latitudes. Longoria Earth Science

Longoria Earth Science