LECTURE 2.3: Hydrology: Solar Radiation

Question 1

It is the energy emitted by the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves and travels through space. It encourages photosynthesis, evaporation, and hydrologic cycle.

Answer 1

Solar Radiation

Question 2

It is the amount of solar radiation received by the surface. It is typically measured in watts per sq.m.

Answer 2

Solar Irradiance

Question 3

What influences solar radiation?

Answer 3

Type of wave
Time of day
Seasons
Cloud
Latitude
Altitude
Atmospheric Circulation

Question 4

It is another term for solar radiation or solar energy. It can be measured in different ways, including by the amount of solar radiation that is received by a surface

Answer 4

Solar Irradiation

Question 5

What is the composition of solar radiation?

Answer 5

Visible light
Ultraviolet Radiation
Infrared Radiation
Other Components
• X-ray
• Gamma Rays
• Radiowaves

Question 6

These are shorter wavelength and beyond violet in the color spectrum

Answer 6

Ultraviolet Radiation

Question 7

These are longer wavelength and beyond red in the color spectrum

Answer 7

Infrared Radiation

Question 8

What is the importance of solar radiation?

Answer 8

• Essential energy source
• Life support

Question 9

What are the factors influencing solar radiation ?

Answer 9

Atmospheric Factors
Geographical Factors
Seasonal Variations

Question 10

What are the factors under atmospheric Factors?

Answer 10

Atmospheric Composition
Aerosols and Particles

Question 11

What are the sources of aerosols?

Answer 11

Natural Sources
Anthropogenic Sources (Artificial Sources)

Question 12

What are the factors under geographical factors?

Answer 12

Latitude
Altitude

Question 13

What are the factors under seasonal variations?

Answer 13

Earth’s Tilt and Seasons
Sun Path and Solar Declination

Question 14

It happens when latitude is ahead and shifting from the tropic of Cancer to the tropic of Capricorn

Answer 14

Solar Declination

Question 15

What are the different atmospheric effects?

Answer 15

Direct Normal Irradiance
Diffuse Irradiance
Albedo Irradiance
Global Horizontal Irradiance
Global In-plane Irradiance

Question 16

It is an atmospheric effect where radiation from the sun reaches the earth without scattering

Answer 16

Direct Normal Irradiance

Question 17

It is an atmospheric effect where radiation is scattered by the atmosphere and clouds arrive from all directions

Answer 17

Diffuse Irradiance

Question 18

It is an atmospheric effect where a direct or diffuse radiation is reflected from the soil or nearby surfaces (lakes, snow etc )

Answer 18

Albedo Irradiance

Question 19

It is an atmospheric effect where the total amount of shortwave radiation is received from above by the horizontal surface. It includes both Direct Normal Irradiance and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance

Answer 19

Global Horizontal Irradiance

Question 20

It is an atmospheric effect where the total amount of radiation is received from above by an inclined surface

Answer 20

Global In-plane Irradiance

Question 21

What are the different instruments used to measure solar radiation?

Answer 21

Pyranometer
Pyrheliometer
Spectoradiometer

Question 22

It is a device that can be used to measure both beam (direct) radiation and diffuse radiation

Answer 22

Pyranometer

Question 23

It is a device used for measuring direct beam radiation at normal incidence

Answer 23

Pyrheliometer

Question 24

It is a device used to measure solar radiation spectrally resolved

Answer 24

Spectoradiometer

Question 25

It is also known as direct sunlight

Answer 25

Beam Radiation

Question 26

Solar radiation scattered by aerosols, dust, and molecules

Answer 26

Diffuse Radiation

Question 27

It is also known as global radiation

Answer 27

Total Radiation