GEO 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: The Surplus, Heat Capacity, Axial Tilt
Document Summary
Geo110 class 4 energy balance & global temperature. Insolation is incoming solar radiation: measured in w/m2, depends on angle of the sun above the horizon. Insolation flow of solar energy intercepted by an exposed surface assuming a uniformly spherical earth with no atm. Intensity of incoming solar radiation (insolation) is related to angle of incidence: higher angles = higher intensity. Lower angles = increase path length: beam depletion, solar radiation diminished relative to path length, high solar angles = small energy reductions, changes in energy receipt with latitude, solar angle, day length, and beam depletion equal. If parameters were changed a new equilibrium occurs: balances global diurnal and local. Annual insolation by latitude: decreases form equator to poles, tilt of earths axis redistributes significant. Energy essentials: shortwave energy in from the sun, longwave energy out from the earth, transmission passage of energy through atm or water.