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Insolation
Energy received from the sun, measured in watts per square meter.
Equinoxes
Times of the year when day and night are of equal length, with the sun directly overhead at noon.
Solstices
Times of the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.
Greenhouse Effect
The warming of the Earth's surface due to greenhouse gases that absorb longwave radiation and re-radiate it.
Albedo
The percentage of solar radiation reflected by a surface.
Sensible Heat
Heat that can be sensed or measured with a thermometer.
Latent Heat
Heat used in the evaporation of water or released during condensation, not measurable by a thermometer.
Counter Radiation
Radiation emitted by the atmosphere back to the Earth's surface.
Energy Deficit
A condition at high latitudes where outgoing radiation exceeds incoming radiation.
Radiation Balance
The difference between incoming and outgoing radiation at the Earth's surface.
Atmosphere
The gaseous envelope surrounding Earth, composed of multiple layers with different temperatures and pressures.
Troposphere
The lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs and is warmed by greenhouse gases.
Stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, warmed by chemical absorption, including ozone.
Mesosphere
The layer of the atmosphere above the stratosphere where temperature decreases with altitude.
Thermosphere
The outermost layer of the atmosphere, where temperatures increase due to solar activity.
Net Radiation
The balance of incoming and outgoing radiation in a specific area.
What is insolation?
Insolation is the energy received from the sun, measured in watts per square meter.
What are equinoxes?
Equinoxes are times of the year when day and night are of equal length, with the sun directly overhead at noon.
What happens during solstices?
During solstices, the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.
What does the greenhouse effect refer to?
The greenhouse effect refers to the warming of the Earth's surface due to greenhouse gases that absorb longwave radiation and re-radiate it.
What is albedo?
Albedo is the percentage of solar radiation reflected by a surface.
What is sensible heat?
Sensible heat is heat that can be sensed or measured with a thermometer.
What is latent heat?
Latent heat is the heat used in the evaporation of water or released during condensation, not measurable by a thermometer.
What does counter radiation mean?
Counter radiation is the radiation emitted by the atmosphere back to the Earth's surface.
What is an energy deficit?
An energy deficit is a condition at high latitudes where outgoing radiation exceeds incoming radiation.
What is radiation balance?
Radiation balance is the difference between incoming and outgoing radiation at the Earth's surface.
Why does a dentist use a lead apron during X-rays?
X-rays are high-energy, ionizing radiation that can cause damage to your cells and genetic information, which might ultimately lead to cancer.
When does the Southern Hemisphere receive more radiation?
From September to March, the Southern Hemisphere receives more radiation than the Northern Hemisphere.
What gas makes up the largest fraction of the atmosphere near the surface?
Nitrogen.
When is the sun directly overhead at noon at the Tropic of Cancer?
On the Summer solstice.
What factor plays a small role in the amount of solar energy received at a particular place on Earth?
Distance of the Earth to the sun.
When is solar intensity the highest during the day?
At 12 Noon.
Which area receives the most seasonal variation in incoming radiation?
High latitudes.
How many degrees is the Earth's axis of rotation inclined from being perpendicular to the sun's rays?
23.5 degrees.
What term describes the solar energy intercepted at a particular area on the Earth's surface?
Insolation.
What effect can prolonged exposure to X-rays have?
It can lead to cell damage and an increased risk of cancer.
