Study FIGURE 2. 15 on PAGE 89 that shows the heating of the atmosphere and answer the questions that follow: 3.1 What is insolation? - incoming solar radiation - the suns energy that passes through the earth's atmosphere 3.1 What is the tropopause? (p. 83) - upper level of the troposphere 3.2 How much of the sun's energy reaches the tropopause? - one billionth of the sun's energy 3.3 What is the solar constant? - the amount of solar radiation that reach the tropopause 3.4 Why does only \( 47 \% \) of the sun's energy reach Earth's surface? - Because of reflection, absorption and scattering 3.5 Explain how the processes of reflection, scattering and absorption reduce the amount of the sun's energy that reaches the Earth's surfad - Surfaces reflect or send back some radiation back into the upper atmosphere. We call this reflection - Gases in the atmosphere absorp some of the radiation. We call thi: absorption - some radiation is bounced off dust particles. We call this scatterin
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Insolation, or incoming solar radiation, plays a crucial role in Earth's energy balance. It’s not just a warm hug from the sun; it’s the driving force behind weather patterns and climate! As solar radiation travels through space, it encounters different atmospheric layers, which affect how much energy gets trapped or reflected away. Next time you bask in the sun, remember you're soaking in a fraction of what the sun generously emits! The tropopause acts as a significant climatic barrier, marking the transition between the troposphere, where we live, and the stratosphere above. This layer is not only vital for weather systems but also plays a role in regulating how much energy and moisture circulate within the atmosphere. Picture it as the "ceiling" of our weather adventures, where temperatures stabilize and contribute to the overall dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere!