Chapter Overview
This chapter explores the concept of solar radiation, its role in Earth's heat balance, and the factors affecting temperature variations. It explains how incoming solar energy is absorbed, reflected, and redistributed, influencing climate and weather patterns.
Important Keywords
- Solar Radiation: Energy emitted by the sun reaching Earth’s surface.
- Insolation: Incoming solar radiation received on Earth’s surface.
- Albedo: The reflectivity of Earth’s surface, determining how much solar energy is reflected back.
- Heat Budget: The balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation.
- Greenhouse Effect: Trapping of heat by certain gases in the atmosphere.
- Latitude: Distance from the equator influencing solar angle and temperature.
- Temperature Gradient: Variation of temperature over distance.
- Thermal Equator: Zone of highest mean annual temperature on Earth.
- Heat Transfer: Processes of conduction, convection, and radiation.
Detailed Notes
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