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What you should know by the end of this lesson:
What you should know by the end of this lesson:
Why there are variations in Solar Insolation
Variations in Insolation
Variations in Insolation
The Equator receives most of the Sun’s energy throughout the year. This means it has an energy surplus.
The Poles receive a lot less of the Sun’s energy - they are areas of energy deficit.
This energy imbalance is caused by 4 different factors:
Surface area
Depth of atmosphere
The earth’s tilt
Albedo
The excess energy at the Equator has to be redistributed towards the Poles to balance it out. This is done by wind and ocean circulation patterns. These will be covered in lessons 4 and 5.
It is important to understand that energy is transferred from low latitude energy surplus areas to high latitude deficit areas by atmospheric circulation and ocean currents to help maintain a balance.
4 Factors affecting the Variations in Insolation
4 Factors affecting the Variations in Insolation
Digital Workbook
Create a 2x2 table in your digital workbook
In each square take a copy of the diagrams
Add an explanation for each diagram to the diagram
Paper Jotter
On a clean page split the page into 4
In each square draw a simple diagram of each Variation
Add an explanation for each diagram to the box
Surface Area
Surface Area
Due to the curvature of the earth, the polar regions have a larger area to heat with the same amount of energy. This leads to the poles being colder than the equator.
Depth of Atmosphere
Depth of Atmosphere
Energy travels straight through the atmosphere at the equator, meaning less chance of it being absorbed or reflected by gas and particles. This increase the temperatures at the equator
Earth's Tilt
Earth's Tilt
Due to the Earth’s tilt the poles are in darkness for up to 6 months each year, meaning they get little to no insolation. Tropical latitudes have the sun overhead for most of the year meaning they will get more.
Albedo
Albedo
The polar regions have a lighter surface (ice, snow) so reflect energy away from this area. The equator has large areas of dark oceans (Pacific, Indian) and green equatorial rainforest. This causes more insolation to be absorbed around the equator.
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Check your Learning
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