Latitude

Radiation occurs…

when the warm ground sends the heat back into space.

Conduction occurs…

when heat front he warm ground is transferred to the air in contact with it.

Convection occurs…

when the heated air, which is light, rises in a convection current. 

Radiation, conductions and convection are…

the processes in which heat is transferred from the ground to the air above. 

Name the lines of latitude and their location (north to south)

• North Pole — 90˚N

• Arctic Circle — 66.5˚N

• Tropic of Cancer — 23.5˚N

• EQUATORRRRR — 0˚

• Tropic of Capricorn — 23.5˚S

• Antarctic Circle — 66.5˚S

• South Pole — 90˚S

The angle of solar radiation/insolation determines…

the intensity of the incoming solar radiation that largely controls the amount of radiation that the Earth’s surface receives.

At the Equator at latitude 0˚, the angle of solar radiation is…

• perpendicular

• More concentrated over a small area

• more direct and intense heating takes place

• resulting in the highest temperatures

At places away from the equator, for example 60˚S, the angle of solar radiation is…

• oblique

• Sun’s rays are spread over a large area

• less heating from the sun’s rays

• results in lower temperatures. 

Explain the difference in solar radiation:

At (places near) the equator:

• Sun’s rays travel a (shorter/longer) distance

• (Less/More) sun’s rays are lost due to scattering, absorption or reflection by clouds and suspended particles in the atmosphere, before they reach the Earth’s surface

• THUS resulting in (higher/lower) temperatures

What is the effect on seasonal variations of angle of solar radiation?

Seasonal variations in the angle of solar radiation become greater with increasing latitude.

Why do locations near the Equator have only small variations in solar input annually?

The angle of solar radiation does not change much throughout the year. Consequently, there is minor variation in the temperature over the period of one calendar year.