The Earth’s Energy Balance
● Incoming Solar Radiation / Isolation = heating for the Earth
● Earth transfers heat energy to the atmosphere
● Amount isolation is impacted by latitude & seasons
Latitude
Oblique Sunlight
Direct Sunlight
- Oblique sunlight : less concentration
Larger surface area
More atmosphere to move through
More reflection
Move to light
- Direct sunlight : More concentration
Small surface area
Less atmosphere to move through
More absorption by darker surface
● Incoming Solar Radiation / Isolation = heating for the Earth
● Earth transfers heat energy to the atmosphere
● Amount isolation is impacted by latitude & seasons
Latitude
Oblique Sunlight
Direct Sunlight
- Oblique sunlight : less concentration
Larger surface area
More atmosphere to move through
More reflection
Move to light
- Direct sunlight : More concentration
Small surface area
Less atmosphere to move through
More absorption by darker surface