Solar Energy

Question 1

System

Answer 1

• ordered and related set of elements

- linked by energy and/or matter flows

Question 2

Open System

Answer 2

-energy and matter can flow within surroundings

Question 3

Closed System

Answer 3

-self-contained

Question 4

mass

Answer 4

measure of amount of matter

Question 5

energy

Answer 5

capacity to change motion or do work on matter

Question 6

static equilibrium

Answer 6

stopped

Question 7

dynamic equilibrium

Answer 7

steady, reversible reaction

Question 8

dynamic eq: stable

Answer 8

-returns to initial position

Question 9

dynamic eq: unstable

Answer 9

-does not return to equilibrium

Question 10

dynamic eq: neutral

Answer 10

-does not move from equlibrium

Question 11

feedbacks

Answer 11

-input modifies the system which alters the response of the system to initial disturbance

Question 12

negative feedback

Answer 12

-response REDUCES initial forcing

Question 13

positive feedback

Answer 13

response AMPLIFIES initial forcing

Question 14

scientific method

Answer 14

1. Observations
2. Questions and Variables
3. Hypothesis
4. Testing
5. Results

Question 15

Earth’s Circumfernce

Answer 15

around 40 000 km

Question 16

Latitude

Answer 16

• angular distance North/South of equator

- goes side to side

Question 17

Longitude

Answer 17

• angular distance East/West of central point on Earth

- goes up down

Question 18

Meridian

Answer 18

-line that connects points of the same longitude

Question 19

Earth’s Formation

Answer 19

• cosmic dust
• physical collision
• gravity and planetesimals
• proto-planet

Question 20

Sun Surface

Answer 20

Temperature is ~ 6 000 K

Question 21

Radiation that Earth Receives (%)

Answer 21

• 47% visible light
• 48% infrared
• 8% ultraviolet, and shorter x-ray and gamma rays

Question 22

Total Solar Irradiance

Answer 22

1360.8 W/m^2

Question 23

Solar System Formation (simple)

Answer 23

• small rock particles rotate due to gravity
• forms nebula disk
• center becomes more dense

Question 24

solar wind

Answer 24

• flow of electrically charged particles from Sun’s outer Corona
• ~3-4 days to reach earth

Question 25

sun spots

Answer 25

-electromagnetic storms on the Sun’s surface

Question 26

Weakening Solar Wind Indicates…

Answer 26

that the magnetic field at the Sun’s poles are weaker

Question 27

Auroras

Answer 27

• outbursts of charged particles

- collision with elements in the atmosphere with particles creates colours

Question 28

Order of waves, small to big on EM

Answer 28

gamma rays, xrays, visible light, infrared, microwave, radio

Question 29

Angle which insolation arrives at Earth’s surface determines:

Answer 29

concentration of energy recieved

Question 30

Direct Insolation on Earth vs Oblique

Answer 30

• direct receives 2.5 times more energy than at poles

- oblique angles hit larger area, energy diffused

Question 31

Net Radiation

Answer 31

=incoming radiation (short waves)-outgoing radiation (long waves)

Question 32

Seasonality

Answer 32

-variation in Sun’s position above the horizon and changing day length during the year

Question 33

Seasonality Determinants

Answer 33

• revolution
• rotation
• Earth’s Tilt
• Axial Parallelism
• Sphericity

Question 34

Rotation: Latitude & Speed

Answer 34

90 degree, 0 km/h
60 degree, 838 km/h
50 degree, 1 078 km/h
40 degree, 1 284 km/h
30 degree, 1 452 km/h
0 degree, 1 675 km/h