Factors influencing Insolation
On the surface of the earth, insolation is not distributed equally. It changes depending on the location and the time. The amount of solar radiation reaches its peak in the tropics and then steadily diminishes as it moves toward the poles. Summer is the time of year when insolation is highest and winter is the time when insolation is lowest. The following are the main factors that influence the amount of solar radiation received:
1. The rotation of the earth on its axis
2. The angle of inclination of the rays of the sun
3. Duration of the day
4. The transparency of the atmosphere
5. The configuration of the land in terms of its aspect
Insolation is majorly influenced by the first three factors. The amount of insolation received at various latitudes is more affected by the earth’s axis’ of 66.5° with the plane of its orbit around the sun. The angle of inclination of the rays is the second component that affects how much insolation is received. This is based on a location’s latitude. Slanting sun rays are caused by the sun’s rays making a smaller angle with the earth’s surface as latitude increases. The area that vertical rays cover is always less than the area covered by slant rays. The energy is spread as more area is covered, resulting in a reduction in the net energy received per unit area. Additionally, because the slant rays must penetrate the atmosphere at a greater depth, there will be more absorption, scattering, and diffusion.
The earth’s surface cannot receive solar radiation because of thick clouds. The amount of cloud cover, its thickness, the presence of dust and water vapour, and other factors affect how transparent the atmosphere is. They either transmit, reflect, or absorb sunlight. . Similar to water vapour, solar radiation is absorbed by it, resulting in less of it reaching the surface.
Solar Radiation – Heat Balance, Transfer & Distribution of Temperature
Here we are going to discuss a Geography topic which is ” Solar Radiation – Heat Balance, Transfer & Distribution of Temperature “. This topic is a part of the general awareness of many competitive exams. This article covers the entire essence of the topic by which you get the most out of it. This article is very helpful for SSC, Banking, Railway and for other competitive exams.