What is INSOLATION? A Science Sisters Production 2017

Learning Target I can explain what insolation is?

INcoming SOLar radiATION What is INSOLATION? The amount of solar radiation reaching a given area INcoming SOLar radiATION

Most of the insolation that the Earth receives at the surface is in the form of visible light.

How does the Earth’s atmosphere affect Insolation? Most incoming ultraviolet radiation (UV) and other shortwave radiation are absorbed by the atmosphere. Most UV is absorbed by the ozone (O3) layer found in the stratosphere. The longer waves such as infrared radiation (heat) are absorbed by other gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O). This warms the atmosphere.

Clouds in the lower atmosphere (Troposphere) reflect insolation back out into space. Insolation can be scattered by gases and aerosols (pollutants) Example: O2 scatters the blue portion of visible light making the sky appear blue, aerosols and other gases cause sunsets.

What is meant by radiative balance? 100% of the energy that fuels the earth comes from the sun. To maintain a constant global average temperature, all of the sun’s radiation that enters Earth’s atmosphere must eventually be sent back to space. This is achieved through Earth’s energy balance.

What factors affect of insolation? The angle of insolation The duration of insolation The nature of the Earth’s surface Change of phase and photosynthesis

What is the Angle of Insolation? The Earth is a sphere and insolation does not strike the Earth’s surface at the same angle at different locations. Latitude – At the equator insolation strikes it directly but at the poles insolation comes in at an angle.

Direct insolation (high angle 90°) is absorbed more and indirect insolation (low angle <30°) is reflected.

What is Duration of Insolation? The duration of insolation is the amount of time the sun is out, this changes with season and latitude. At 41°N (NYC) on Dec.21st the duration = 9hrs on June 21st the duration = 15hrs.

How Does the Nature of the Earths surface affect insolation? The Earth’s surface is made of many different materials and the insolation received reacts differently because of TeXtUrE and COLOR. Smooth suraces reflect Rough surfaces absorb Light colors reflect Dark colors absorb

How Do Phases of Matter and Photosynthesis Affect Insolation? Insolation that is used to change the phase of a material does not raise the temperature (latent heat). Plants use insolation to live (photosynthesis) and this does not raise Earth’s temperature.

Practice Questions Ans: A ) black and rough

Practice Questions Ans: (3 )

Practice Questions Ans: C) a dark-green forest

Practice Questions Ans: A) Light-colored surfaces reflect more sunlight than dark colored surfaces

Practice Questions Ans: D) light-colored with a smooth surface

Practice Questions Ans: A) cooler than normal due to the reflection of sunlight from volcanic dust

Practice Questions Ans: (1) reflected

Practice Questions Ans: C) cooler because ash and dust decrease atmospheric transparency

Practice Questions Ans: A) less

Practice Questions Ans: A)

A Science Sisters Production 2017