1. Factors Affecting Absorption and Reflection of Radiation
Earth Science
Mr. Cloud

2. 1. Angle of Incidence the angle at which insolation strikes the ground
What causes the angle of the sun to vary?

3. The Sun’s Path Across the Sky
Maximum Altitude = Maximum Absorption by Earth’s Surface 

4. Direct vs. Indirect Angles of Incidence:
At lower latitudes, sunlight radiates at a much higher angle which concentrates the rays over a smaller area.
At higher latitudes, sunlight is spread thin. Sunlight radiates at a much lower angle and spread over a much larger area.
Indirect
Direct

5. Angle of Incidence
The higher the sun is in the sky, the higher the angle of incidence
The higher the angle, the greater the intensity, the more insolation is absorbed.

6. 2. Surface Characteristics
Texture:
rough/uneven surfaces absorb more insolation
smooth surfaces reflect more insolation
Color:
Darker colors tend to absorb more insolation than they reflect
Lighter colors tend to reflect more insolation than they absorb.

7. 3. Change of State
When insolation reaches Earth’s surface it interacts with materials found there.
Ex. Energy from insolation can cause water to change state
When energy from insolation is involved in change of state, it is not available to raise the surface temperature.
Instead, it is transformed into potential energy.