Global Radiation Balance Study Guide
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 101

After the "Global Radiation Balance" lecture and readings you should be able to answer and discuss the following questions.

What is the main source of energy on the surface of the Earth?

List some of the Earth systems that are driven by energy from the Sun.

What percentage of incoming solar radiation from the Sun is visible radiation?

Which radiation band (ultraviolet, visible, infrared) is produced in the greatest quantities?

At what radiation band is solar radiation most intense?

What fraction of all incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space?

What are the forms of outgoing radiation?

What is the Global Radiation Balance?

If more radiation is received than is lost, what are the results to Earth's climate?

If more radiation is lost than is received, what are the results to Earth's climate?

What is insolation?

What is insulation?

What are the two factors which control the amount of insolation received at the Earth's surface?

List and explain the variation in exposure time of insolation.

List and explain the variation in angle of insolation.

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