Chapter 2

Question 1

Solar Wind

Answer 1

Clouds of ionized (charged) gases emitted by the Sun and travelling in all directions from the Sun’s surface.

Question 2

Magnetosphere

Answer 2

Earth’s magnetic force field, which is generated by dynamo-like motions within the planet’s outer core.

Question 3

How does the magnetosphere interact with solar wind?

Answer 3

The Magnetosphere deflects solar wind flow toward the poles so that only a small portion of it enters the upper atmosphere.

Question 4

Types of Auroras

Answer 4

Aurora borealis (Northern lights)
Aurora australis (Southern lights)

Question 5

Auroras

Answer 5

Solar winds interact with the magnetosphere and gases in the ionosphere to create a light display at high latitudes.

Question 6

Electromagnetic Spectrum definition

Answer 6

All the radiant energy produced by the Sun placed in an ordered range, divided according to wavelengths.

Question 7

Wavelength

Answer 7

The distance between two corresponding points on any two successive waves. (Micrometers)

Question 8

Frequency

Answer 8

The number of waves passing a fixed point per second.

Question 9

Electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 9

Gamma Rays
X-rays
UltraViolet 
Visible (Purple to Red)
Infrared
Microwaves
Radiowaves

Question 10

Wien’s Displacement Law

Answer 10

All objects radiate energy in wavelengths related to their individual surface temperatures.

(the hotter the object, the shorter the mean wavelength of maximum intensity emitted)

Question 11

Stefan Boltzmann Law

Answer 11

Objects that are efficient absorbers of radiation are good emitters too.

Question 12

Blackbody Radiator

Answer 12

A blackbody is a perfect absorber of radiant energy; it absorbs and subsequently emits all the radiant energy that it receives.

Question 13

3 Radiation Laws

Answer 13

1. All objects above zero degree Kelvin emit radition
2. Wien’s Displacement Law
3. Stefan Boltzmann Law

Question 14

Aphelion

Answer 14

when Sun and Earth are farthest apart (July 4 )

Question 15

Perihelion

Answer 15

when Sun and Earth are closest together (January 3)

Question 16

Solar Declination

Answer 16

The latitude of the subsolar point.

Migrates annually through 47 degrees of latitude between the Tropics of Cancer (23.5° N) and Capricorn (23.5° S).

Question 17

Solar Elevation

Answer 17

SEE LAB MANUAL

Question 18

Subsolar Point

Answer 18

place on Earth at which the Sun is “directly” overhead (perpendicular, at a 90° angle)

Question 19

Equinoxes

Answer 19

The time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the equator. Day-length is equal for all latitudes on Earth.

• Spring Equinox: March 20-21
• Fall Equinox: Septemper 22-23

Question 20

Summer/June Solstice

Answer 20

The subsolar point is on the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N).

• Daylength is longest for the Northern Hemisphere latitudes, Shortest for Southern Hemisphere latitudes.

Question 21

Summer/June Solstice

Answer 21

The subsolar point is on the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N).

Day-length is longest for the Northern Hemisphere latitudes. Marks the beginning of summer.

The North Pole is within the circle of illumination (receives 24 hours of sunlight)

Question 22

Winter/December Solstice

Answer 22

The subsolar point is on the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S).

• Daylength is shorted for the Northern Hemisphere latitudes. Marks the beginning of winter.
• The North Pole is within the circle of illumination (receives 24 hours of night)

Question 23

SEASONAL VARIATION RESULTS FROM EARTH’S FOLLOWING PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS (5)

Answer 23

REVOLUTION

ROTATION

TILT

AXIAL PARALLELISM

SPHERICITY

Question 24

REVOLUTION

Answer 24

Earth’s orbital movement around the sun (365.24 days to complete)

Question 25

REVOLUTION’s role in seasonality

Answer 25

Determines the length of the year and the seasons.

Question 26

ROTATION

Answer 26

Earth turning on its axis (approximately 24 hours to complete)

Question 27

ROTATIONs role in seasonality

Answer 27

Determines day–night insolation variation.

Question 28

TILT

Answer 28

Alignment of axis at about a 23.5° angle from perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic (the plane of Earth’s orbit).

Question 29

TILT’s role in seasonality

Answer 29

Summer happens (NH) when the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, and winter happens in the hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun.

Question 30

AXIAL PARALLELISM

Answer 30

Fixed axial alignment, with Polaris directly overhead at the North Pole throughout the year.

Question 31

AXIAL PARALLELISM’s role in seasonality

Answer 31

Earth’s axis remains aligned the same throughout the year (it “remains parallel to itself”); thus, the axis extended from the North Pole points into space always near Polaris, the North Star.

Question 32

SPHERICITY

Answer 32

Oblate spheroidal shape lit by Sun’s parallel rays (geoid)

Question 33

SPHERICITY’s role in seasonality

Answer 33

Earth’s spherical shape causes the parallel rays of the Sun to fall at uneven and varying angles on Earth’s surface. The curvature means that insolation angles and net radiation received vary between the equator and the poles.

Question 34

The equator receives

Answer 34

equal hours of day and night, year round.

Question 35

SEASONALITY

Answer 35

Refers to the seasonal variation of the Sun’s position above the horizon and to changing day-lengths during the year.

Question 36

SEASONAL VARIATION RESULTS FROM (SUN)

Answer 36

Variations in the:

Sun’s altitude above the horizon

Sun’s declination

Daylength during the year

Question 37

Why is the distance between earth and sun inconstant?

Answer 37

the orbit is elliptical

the sun is slightly off-center