Factors affecting the amount of solar radiation the Earth/atmosphere receives

Question 1

What is the solar constant and how does it affect the amount of solar radiation the atmosphere receives?

Answer 1

Amount of solar radiation the earth gets from the sun. It varies slightly with the sun’s activity. When the sun is more active, the Earth receives more solar radiation

Question 2

How does the Earth’s distance from the sun affect the amount of solar radiation the atmosphere receives?

Answer 2

Changes as it orbits. When Earth is closer to the sun it receives more solar radiation

Question 3

When the height of the sun in the sky is near the equator what happens to solar radiation?

Answer 3

Near the equator the sun is higher in the sky and incoming solar radiation is spread over a smaller surface area

Question 4

When the height of the sun in the sky is near the polls what happens to solar radiation?

Answer 4

Near the poles the sun is lower in the sky and incoming solar radiation is spread over a larger surface area. There’s less solar radiation per m² at higher latitudes

Question 5

How does the length of day and night affect the amount of solar radiation the atmosphere receives?

Answer 5

Varies with the seasons, which are more pronounced at higher altitudes. In winter there are fewer hours of daylight - so less solar radiation