Webquest Part 5. Solar Energy
So, what does all this have to do with the atmosphere? The earth receives all of its heat energy from the sun, in the form of short wave radiation. The short wave radiation impacts daily temperature, weather patterns and long-term climate records.
Insolation is the single external energy input driving the Earth-atmosphere system. The earth has an "energy budget" that balances the amount of solar radiation coming in and the amount of radiation emitted back to space. All terrestrial objects (for example, the Earth, sky, ground, clouds and objects) radiate heat in waves that are longer than the sun.
Insolation is the single external energy input driving the Earth-atmosphere system. The earth has an "energy budget" that balances the amount of solar radiation coming in and the amount of radiation emitted back to space. All terrestrial objects (for example, the Earth, sky, ground, clouds and objects) radiate heat in waves that are longer than the sun.
There are many factors that impact how much radiant energy is absorbed by the earth, trapped in the atmosphere or emitted back out into space. Take a look at the image below.
Questions:
6. How much radiant energy does the earth absorb?
7. What three things reflect incoming shortwave radiation back into the atmosphere before it reaches earth's surface?
8. What three things absorbs shortwave radiation?
9. What else do you think increases and decreases the amount of insolation?
6. How much radiant energy does the earth absorb?
7. What three things reflect incoming shortwave radiation back into the atmosphere before it reaches earth's surface?
8. What three things absorbs shortwave radiation?
9. What else do you think increases and decreases the amount of insolation?