Solar Radiation and Earth's Seasons - AP Environmental Science
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What term describes Earth's spinning on its axis?
What term describes Earth's spinning on its axis?
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Rotation. One rotation takes 24 hours, creating day and night.
Rotation. One rotation takes 24 hours, creating day and night.
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Define solar radiation.
Define solar radiation.
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Energy from the Sun in the form of electromagnetic waves. Includes visible light, UV, and infrared radiation.
Energy from the Sun in the form of electromagnetic waves. Includes visible light, UV, and infrared radiation.
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Identify the main factor that causes the seasons.
Identify the main factor that causes the seasons.
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Tilt of Earth's rotational axis. Axial tilt creates seasonal solar angle changes.
Tilt of Earth's rotational axis. Axial tilt creates seasonal solar angle changes.
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What causes the variation in the intensity of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface?
What causes the variation in the intensity of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface?
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Sun angle and atmospheric conditions. Lower angles and more atmosphere reduce intensity.
Sun angle and atmospheric conditions. Lower angles and more atmosphere reduce intensity.
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What is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system?
What is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system?
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The Sun. Solar energy drives all weather, climate, and ocean patterns.
The Sun. Solar energy drives all weather, climate, and ocean patterns.
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Identify the season when the Southern Hemisphere experiences the longest day.
Identify the season when the Southern Hemisphere experiences the longest day.
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Summer (around December 21). Summer solstice provides maximum daylight hours.
Summer (around December 21). Summer solstice provides maximum daylight hours.
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What is the role of clouds in Earth's energy budget?
What is the role of clouds in Earth's energy budget?
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Reflect solar radiation and trap heat. Clouds have both cooling and warming effects.
Reflect solar radiation and trap heat. Clouds have both cooling and warming effects.
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When does the vernal equinox occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
When does the vernal equinox occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
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Approximately March 21. Spring equinox marks equal day and night lengths.
Approximately March 21. Spring equinox marks equal day and night lengths.
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What happens to solar intensity as latitude increases?
What happens to solar intensity as latitude increases?
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Solar intensity decreases. Solar angle decreases with distance from equator.
Solar intensity decreases. Solar angle decreases with distance from equator.
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What happens to the length of daylight as you move from the equator to the poles?
What happens to the length of daylight as you move from the equator to the poles?
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Daylight varies more with latitude. Extreme latitudes experience polar day and night.
Daylight varies more with latitude. Extreme latitudes experience polar day and night.
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What is the tilt angle of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the Sun?
What is the tilt angle of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the Sun?
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23.5 degrees. This tilt causes seasonal changes in solar angle.
23.5 degrees. This tilt causes seasonal changes in solar angle.
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What is the duration of daylight at the equator throughout the year?
What is the duration of daylight at the equator throughout the year?
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Approximately 12 hours. Equator receives consistent solar radiation year-round.
Approximately 12 hours. Equator receives consistent solar radiation year-round.
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Define the greenhouse effect.
Define the greenhouse effect.
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Trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere. Gases absorb outgoing radiation, warming atmosphere.
Trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere. Gases absorb outgoing radiation, warming atmosphere.
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What effect does a high albedo have on Earth's surface temperature?
What effect does a high albedo have on Earth's surface temperature?
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It reduces surface temperature. High reflection prevents solar energy absorption.
It reduces surface temperature. High reflection prevents solar energy absorption.
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How does Earth's atmosphere affect incoming solar radiation?
How does Earth's atmosphere affect incoming solar radiation?
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Absorbs and scatters radiation. Atmosphere filters and redistributes solar energy.
Absorbs and scatters radiation. Atmosphere filters and redistributes solar energy.
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What is the term for the transfer of heat by the mass movement of molecules?
What is the term for the transfer of heat by the mass movement of molecules?
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Convection. Heat transfer through fluid motion in atmosphere.
Convection. Heat transfer through fluid motion in atmosphere.
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Identify the gases primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect.
Identify the gases primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect.
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Carbon dioxide and methane. These gases absorb and re-emit longwave radiation.
Carbon dioxide and methane. These gases absorb and re-emit longwave radiation.
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Which process describes the transfer of solar energy to Earth's surface?
Which process describes the transfer of solar energy to Earth's surface?
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Radiation. Energy travels through space without matter transfer.
Radiation. Energy travels through space without matter transfer.
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What is the term for the effect of Earth's rotation on wind direction?
What is the term for the effect of Earth's rotation on wind direction?
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Coriolis effect. Earth's rotation deflects moving air masses.
Coriolis effect. Earth's rotation deflects moving air masses.
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Identify the date of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
Identify the date of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Approximately June 21. Northern Hemisphere receives maximum solar energy this day.
Approximately June 21. Northern Hemisphere receives maximum solar energy this day.
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What effect does Earth's axial tilt have on climate zones?
What effect does Earth's axial tilt have on climate zones?
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Creates distinct climate zones. Different solar angles create temperature gradients.
Creates distinct climate zones. Different solar angles create temperature gradients.
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What is albedo?
What is albedo?
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The reflectivity of a surface. High albedo reflects more energy, cooling surfaces.
The reflectivity of a surface. High albedo reflects more energy, cooling surfaces.
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What is the significance of the angle of sunlight for climate?
What is the significance of the angle of sunlight for climate?
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Affects temperature and climate patterns. Solar angle determines energy concentration and heating.
Affects temperature and climate patterns. Solar angle determines energy concentration and heating.
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Identify the term for when Earth is farthest from the Sun.
Identify the term for when Earth is farthest from the Sun.
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Aphelion. Occurs around early July each year.
Aphelion. Occurs around early July each year.
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Identify the term for when Earth is closest to the Sun.
Identify the term for when Earth is closest to the Sun.
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Perihelion. Occurs around early January each year.
Perihelion. Occurs around early January each year.
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Explain why polar regions receive less solar energy than equatorial regions.
Explain why polar regions receive less solar energy than equatorial regions.
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Lower angle of sunlight incidence. Low angle spreads energy over larger surface area.
Lower angle of sunlight incidence. Low angle spreads energy over larger surface area.
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What is insolation?
What is insolation?
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Incoming solar radiation received by Earth. Varies by location, season, and time of day.
Incoming solar radiation received by Earth. Varies by location, season, and time of day.
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Identify the factor that contributes to the variation in solar energy received by Earth.
Identify the factor that contributes to the variation in solar energy received by Earth.
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Earth's axial tilt and orbit shape. Both affect solar angle and distance from Sun.
Earth's axial tilt and orbit shape. Both affect solar angle and distance from Sun.
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Which layer of Earth's atmosphere absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation?
Which layer of Earth's atmosphere absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation?
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Ozone layer. Protects life by filtering harmful UV radiation.
Ozone layer. Protects life by filtering harmful UV radiation.
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Which hemisphere experiences summer during December?
Which hemisphere experiences summer during December?
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Southern Hemisphere. Earth's tilt points the Southern Hemisphere toward Sun.
Southern Hemisphere. Earth's tilt points the Southern Hemisphere toward Sun.
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