Activity 1 Analyse a radiation budget Study figure a showing the December radiation budget for the Earth at different latitudes, and then answer the followir questions: 1 What is the highest amount of incoming radiation? 2 The place with the highest incoming radiation is in which hemisphere? Give a reason for your answer. (Hint: What is the season?) 3 At what latitude in this hemisphere is there a balance between incoming and outgoing radiation? 4 In this hemisphere, what was the amount of surplus eners recorded for December at a latitude of \( 45^{\circ} \) ? 5 What is the energy balance at \( 45^{\circ} \) latitude in the other hemisphere? Explain the difference.

To analyze the radiation budget based on the provided questions, we will follow a systematic approach. However, since I do not have access to the figure mentioned, I will guide you through the logical steps to answer each question based on typical patterns observed in radiation budgets. ### 1. What is the highest amount of incoming radiation? - **Step**: Typically, the highest amount of incoming radiation occurs at the equator or near the tropics during the summer solstice for that hemisphere. You would need to refer to the figure to identify the exact value. ### 2. The place with the highest incoming radiation is in which hemisphere? Give a reason for your answer. - **Step**: If the highest incoming radiation is observed in December, it is likely in the Southern Hemisphere. This is because December corresponds to summer in the Southern Hemisphere, where the sun's rays are more direct. ### 3. At what latitude in this hemisphere is there a balance between incoming and outgoing radiation? - **Step**: The latitude where incoming and outgoing radiation balance is often found around \( 30^{\circ} \) to \( 40^{\circ} \) in the Southern Hemisphere during December. You would need to check the figure for the exact latitude. ### 4. In this hemisphere, what was the amount of surplus energy recorded for December at a latitude of \( 45^{\circ} \)? - **Step**: The surplus energy at \( 45^{\circ} \) latitude in the Southern Hemisphere can be determined from the figure. Typically, this value is positive, indicating that more energy is received than lost. ### 5. What is the energy balance at \( 45^{\circ} \) latitude in the other hemisphere? Explain the difference. - **Step**: In the Northern Hemisphere at \( 45^{\circ} \) latitude during December, the energy balance is usually negative, indicating a deficit of energy. This is because it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and the sun's rays are less direct, leading to more outgoing radiation than incoming. ### Summary To provide specific numerical answers, you would need to refer to the figure showing the December radiation budget. The general trends indicate that the Southern Hemisphere experiences higher incoming radiation in December, with a balance point typically around \( 30^{\circ} \) to \( 40^{\circ} \) latitude, while the Northern Hemisphere experiences a deficit at \( 45^{\circ} \) latitude during the same period.