Thermal Properties of Water and Solar Insolation

These flashcards encompass key vocabulary related to the thermal properties of water and solar insolation as discussed in the lecture.

Thermal Properties of Water

Characteristics of water that affect how it interacts with heat, crucial for Earth's climate.

Solar Insolation

The amount of solar radiation received by the Earth's surface.

Solar Projection Effect

The phenomenon where sunlight hits the Earth at different angles, affecting the concentration and absorption of solar energy.

Albedo

The reflectivity of a surface; a high albedo means high reflectivity, whereas a low albedo means low reflectivity.

Atmospheric Absorption

The process by which light passing through the atmosphere is absorbed, affecting how much solar energy reaches the Earth's surface.

Equatorial Regions

Areas near the equator that receive more solar insolation compared to higher latitudes due to factors like solar footprint and albedo.

Latent Heat of Water

The hidden heat required for water to change phase from liquid to gas or vice versa.

Hydrogen Bonds

The attractions between the positive hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the negative oxygen atoms of another, responsible for many of water's unique properties.

High Heat Capacity

The ability of water to absorb and store large amounts of heat without a significant change in temperature.

Phase Change

The transformation of water from one state to another (solid, liquid, gas), which involves energy changes.