1. 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)
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2. 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.
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3. Factors that determine the amount of insolation
The angle of the sun
Latitude
Season
Time of day
Losses of energy passing through the atmosphere
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6. 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.
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7. 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.
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8. 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.
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