NAME: _______________________________
NB#_____
Topic 6 Notes!
Insolation and the Seasons
I)
Insolation = INcoming SOLar radiation
 The part of the sun’s output of _____________________________________
that is received by Earth.
 ___________________________ of insolation is relative strength of the sun’s
radiation that reaches a specific area of the Earth in a specific amount of
time.
 The Sun emits shorter wavelength of radiation = _______________________
 The Earth’s surface absorbs the ____________________________________
and radiates longer wavelengths = __________________________________
A) Effects of Earth’s Atmosphere on Insolation
 Approximately ______ of the total energy reaching the Earth’s atmosphere is
absorbed by the Earth’s surface
 Earth’s atmosphere can __________________________, ___________________,
__________________________, OR __________________________, the sun’s
radiation
 Most short-wave radiation is absorbed by __________________________,
__________________________, __________________________, and
__________________________,
 __________________________,in the upper atmosphere absorbs almost all of
the ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
 Over time, the amount of energy the Earth absorbs, from __________________,
Equals the amount of energy the Earth radiates. This is called
__________________________ __________________________, ( Same amount
coming in as going out)
B) Factors Affecting Absorption and Reflection of Insolation
 Texture and color affect the absorption of insolation by Earth’s surface
 Rough or uneven surfaces __________________________more insolation and
__________________________less
 Surfaces with darker colors __________________________more insolation and
__________________________ less
 Surfaces with lighter colors __________________________ more insolation and
__________________________ less.
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NAME: _______________________________

NB#_____
Water will heat up and cool off __________________________ than an equal
area of land because water has a __________________________ specific heat
QUESTIONS: Check Your Knowledge:
1. Electromagnetic energy that reaches Earth from the sun is called
(1) Insolation
(2) Conduction
(3) Specific Heat
(4) Terrestrial Radiation
2. How do the rates of warming and cooling of land surfaces compare to the rates of
warming and cooling of ocean surfaces?
(1) Land surfaces warm more quickly and cool more slowly
(2) Land surfaces warm more slowly and cool more quickly
(3) Land surfaces warm more quickly and cool more quickly
(4) Land surfaces warm more slowly and cool more s lowly
3. Ozone is important to life on Earth because Ozone
(1) Cools refrigerators and air conditioners
(2) Absorbs energy that is radiated by Earth
(3) Absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation
(4) Destroys excess atmospheric carbon dioxide.
II)
Variation in Intensity & Duration of Insolation
 The intensity of insolation varies because the angle at which the insolation
strikes the Earth’s surface changes
 The maximum intensity occurs when the insolation strikes the surface
__________________________ or at __________________________
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NAME: _______________________________
NB#_____
A) Earth’s Shape
 Since the Earth’s shape is an OBLATE SPHERIOD, at any one time, there is only on place
where the insolation is direct (90 ⁰)
B) Latitude and Seasonal Changes
 As the Earth travels in its yearly orbit around the ___________________________, the
angle of incidence at any given ___________________________ varies with the
seasons. This is because of the __________________________ of the Earth on its axis
_________________________________
__________________________________
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NAME: _______________________________
Date
Name of Date
Latitude
Receiving
Direct Rays
NB#_____
Name of
Latitude
#Hours of
Daylight
# Hours of
Darkness
March 21st
June 21st
September 21st
December 21st
C) Effect of Time of Day
 The duration of insolation also changes with the seasons and latitude.
 The duration of insolation also changes with seasons and latitude
c) Effect of the Time of Day


______________________ noon is the time of day when the sun reaches its maximum
altitude
At the maximum altitude, the intensity is the __________________________ , and the
shadows are the _____________________________.
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NAME: _______________________________
NB#_____
QUESTIONS: Check Your Knowledge:
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NAME: _______________________________
III)
NB#_____
Reasons for the Season
A) Tilt of the Earth’s Axis
 The Earth’s rotational axis is titled ____________________ from perpendicular to the
plane of its orbit of the sun
 This tilt causes the _______________________________ rays of the sun to shift
between ______________________________________________________________
and ______________________________________________________________
B) Parallelism of Earth’s Axis
 The North end of the Earth’s axis always points towards _________________________
C) Revolution of the Earth Around the Sun
 Because of _______________________________________, the direction of the Earth’s
axis varies
 On ___________________________________________ The Northern hemisphere is
tilted TOWARD the sun. The direct rays of the sun are striking
_____________________. It is the __________________________________________ .
 On ___________________________________________ the Northern hemisphere is
titled AWAY FROM the sun. The direct rays of the sun are striking
___________________________. It is the _______________________________.
 On _______________________ and _________________________ the Northern
hemisphere is titled neither toward nor away from the sun. The direct rays of the sun
are striking ____________________________________. It is the
____________________.
QUESTIONS: Check Your Knowledge:
1. What is the primary reason New York State is warmer in May than in February
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Earth is traveling faster in its orbit in February
The altitude of the noon sun is great in February
The insolation in New York is greater in May
Earth is closer to the sun in May
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