Solar radiation and the atmosphere Flashcards
1
Q
Define insolation
A
- the amount of solar radiation reaching a given area
2
Q
Define albedo
A
- the fraction of light that a surface reflects
3
Q
What is energy
A
- the ability to do work
4
Q
Where does most of the energy on earth come from
A
- the sun
5
Q
The majority of solar radiation is in what wavelength
A
- infrared radiation
6
Q
Where on earth do the sun’s rays hit most directly
A
- the equator
7
Q
Where on earth do the sun’s rays hit the least directly
A
- the poles
8
Q
Environmental importance of ultraviolet
A
- inhibits photosynthesis
- play a role in decomposition
9
Q
Environmental importance of visible
A
- provides photosynthesis in plants
- enables us to see
10
Q
Environmental importance of infrared
A
- keeps a stable temperature and climate
- provides heat energy
- process of photosynthesis
11
Q
How do convection and conduction differ
A
- conduction - direct contact
- convection - happens in liquids and gases
12
Q
What is a convection cell
A
- warm air rises and it begins to cool and then contracts, becomes denser and sinks
13
Q
What is the earths energy budget
A
- difference between energy entering and energy exiting the atmosphere
14
Q
What happens when the earth absorbs more energy than it emits
A
- the planet warms up
15
Q
What happens when the earth emits more energy than it absorbs
A
- the planet cools down
16
Q
What is the greenhouse effect
A
- the process through which heat is absorbed and remitted near earth’s surface by substances known as ‘greenhouse gases’
17
Q
How is the greenhouse effect helpful for life on earth
A
- keeps our planet at a suitable temperature for life
- species would be outside their range of tolerance
18
Q
How are humans affecting the greenhouse effect
A
- burning fossil fuels
- cutting down forests
- farming livestock
