Does the equator receive 10 times more incoming solar radiation and why do about 30 of the sun's incoming energy never reach Earth?
Yes, the equator does receive about 10 times more incoming solar radiation than the poles. This is because the sun's rays are more concentrated at the equator, where they are perpendicular to the Earth's surface. At the poles, the sun's rays are spread out over a larger area, so they are less intense.
About 30% of the sun's incoming energy never reaches Earth because it is reflected back into space by clouds and other atmospheric particles. This reflection is known as albedo. The Earth's atmosphere is very good at reflecting shortwave radiation, which is the type of radiation that the sun emits.
Here is a breakdown of how the sun's energy is distributed:
- 30% is reflected back into space by clouds and other atmospheric particles.
- 20% is absorbed by the atmosphere, where it heats the air and water vapor.
- 50% reaches the Earth's surface, where it is absorbed by the ground and water.
The absorbed energy is then re-radiated back into space as longwave radiation, which is the type of radiation that the Earth emits. This longwave radiation is not as easily reflected by the atmosphere, so it is absorbed and trapped, which helps to keep the Earth warm.
Yes, The Earth's atmosphere is very good at reflecting shortwave radiation, which is the type of radiation that the sun emits. The Earth absorbs most of the energy reaching its surface, a small fraction is reflected. In total approximately 70% of incoming radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and the Earth's surface while around 30% is reflected back to space and does not heat the surface. The equator does receive about 10 times more incoming solar radiation than the poles. This is because the sun's rays are more concentrated at the equator, where they are perpendicular to the Earth's surface. At the poles, the sun's rays are spread out over a larger area, so they are less intense. When the sun's rays strike Earth's surface near the equator, the incoming solar radiation is more direct (nearly perpendicular or closer to a 90˚ angle). Therefore, the solar radiation is concentrated over a smaller surface area, causing warmer temperatures. Because Earth is a sphere, sunlight hits the curved surface more directly closer to the equator and less directly closer to the poles. Solar radiation is most direct at, or close to, the equator and thus produces warmer temperatures. About 23 percent of incoming solar energy is absorbed in the atmosphere by water vapor, dust, and ozone, and 48 percent passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by the surface. Thus, about 71 percent of the total incoming solar energy is absorbed by the Earth system. About 30% of the sun's incoming energy never reaches Earth because it is reflected back into space by clouds and other atmospheric particles. This reflection is known as albedo. All of the energy the sun releases does not reach Earth. One one-billionth of the Sun's total energy output actually reaches the Earth. Of all the energy that does reach Earth, slightly less than 34 percent is reflected back to space by clouds. About 29 percent of the solar energy that arrives at the top of the atmosphere is reflected back to space by clouds, atmospheric particles, or bright ground surfaces like sea ice and snow. This energy plays no role in Earth's climate system.Consider that the insolation received at the top of the atmosphere is 100 per cent. While passing through the atmosphere some amount of energy is reflected, scattered and absorbed. Only the remaining part reaches the earth surface. Roughly 35 units are reflected back to space even before reaching the earth's surface.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Philosophy
- Philosophy Of Science
- Reasoning