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The higher in the sky the sun is the more solar radiation received at the surface. This is because as the sun gets higher in the sky, there is less atmosphere blocking the sun's rays. Imagine the sun going through the atmosphere at a 90 degree angle. The thickness of the atmosphere let say is x thick. As the sun hit the surface at a lower angle, the thickness of the atmosphere has to go through more atmosphere to get to the surface. So the thicker atmosphere blocks more of the sun's rays.

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What is sun's intensity?

The intensity of the sun's radiation refers to the amount of energy it emits per unit area per unit time. The intensity of the sun's radiation is highest at the surface of the sun and decreases as it travels through space. At the Earth's surface, the intensity of solar radiation is about 1,000 watts per square meter on a sunny day.


The radiation that passes through the atmosphere and reaches the earths surface has the greatest intensity in the form of?

The radiation that passes through the atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface has the greatest intensity in the form of visible light. This portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes wavelengths from about 400 to 700 nanometers, is crucial for photosynthesis and significantly influences the planet's climate and ecosystems. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation are also present, but they are less intense compared to visible light.


What are the two ways that seasonal variation the altitude of the sun affects the amount of solar energy received at earth's surface?

Seasonal variation in the altitude of the sun affects solar energy received at Earth's surface primarily through changes in the angle of sunlight and the duration of daylight. When the sun is higher in the sky during summer months, sunlight strikes the surface more directly, resulting in greater energy concentration. Conversely, during winter, the sun is lower on the horizon, causing sunlight to spread over a larger area and reducing energy intensity. Additionally, longer daylight hours in summer increase the total amount of solar energy received compared to shorter days in winter.


What happens as the altitude of the sun increases?

As the altitude of the sun increases, the intensity of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface increases, leading to higher temperatures. This can result in warmer weather and more direct sunlight which is why midday tends to be the warmest part of the day.


How does angle of incidence control the intensity of solar radiation received at the earth's surface?

The angle of incidence is what trajectory the suns burst is taking. If the burst is pointed 20 degrees in any direction, slightly away from the earth, then the intensity of the impact on earth would be less severe since only a portion of the burst is actually making contact. While the rest of it flies into space for millions and millions and millions of kilometers.

Related Questions

What is sun's intensity?

The intensity of the sun's radiation refers to the amount of energy it emits per unit area per unit time. The intensity of the sun's radiation is highest at the surface of the sun and decreases as it travels through space. At the Earth's surface, the intensity of solar radiation is about 1,000 watts per square meter on a sunny day.


How does the seasonal variation in the altitude of the noon sun affect the amount of energy received at the earths surface?

The seasonal variation in the altitude of the noon sun affects the amount of energy received at the Earth's surface because when the sun is higher in the sky, the energy is more concentrated over a smaller area, leading to more intense heating. Conversely, when the sun is lower in the sky, the energy is more spread out over a larger area, resulting in less intense heating. This variation in intensity of solar radiation influences the temperature and climate patterns on Earth.


Which form of electromagnetic energy is radiated from the earths surface with the greatest intensity?

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What form of electromagnetic energy is radiated from the Earth's surface with the greatest intensity?

Infrared radiation is radiated from the Earth's surface with the greatest intensity. This is due to the Earth absorbing sunlight and then re-emitting it at longer wavelengths in the form of infrared radiation.


Where does the earth emits radiation with greatest intensity at?

The Earth emits radiation with the greatest intensity in the infrared part of the spectrum, due to the thermal energy emitted by the surface. This is known as terrestrial radiation and plays a significant role in the Earth's energy balance.


Why not all earth surface receive the same amount of radiation?

The amount of radiation received on Earth's surface varies due to factors such as latitude, atmosphere thickness, altitude, and cloud cover. The angle at which the sun's rays hit the Earth's surface also plays a role in the distribution of solar radiation. Areas closer to the equator receive more direct sunlight, leading to higher radiation levels.


What factors in an atmosphere seem to have the greatest effect on the amount of radiation received from the sun?

The ozone layer has the greatest effect on the amount of ultraviolet radiation received at the earth's surface from the Sun. Cloud formation and atmospheric thickness, in combination with solar angle, have the greatest effect on the amount of visible and infrared radiation received at the earth's surface from the sun


What is the amount of energy received on earth surface when the angle of insolation is 90 degrees?

When the angle of insolation is 90 degrees, solar radiation is received directly overhead, resulting in maximum energy concentration on the Earth's surface. At this angle, approximately 1,000 watts per square meter (W/m²) of solar energy can be received under clear sky conditions. The actual amount can vary based on atmospheric conditions, such as clouds or pollution, which can reduce the intensity of solar radiation reaching the surface.


What happens to the intensity of solar radiation as latitude increases?

As latitude increases, the intensity of solar radiation decreases. This is because the angle at which sunlight hits the Earth's surface becomes more oblique, leading to greater atmospheric absorption and scattering, which reduces the amount of solar energy that reaches the surface.


What is the term for solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface?

The solar radiation that reaches the earths surface from the sun is called INSOLATION


What factors in atmosphere seem to have the greatest effect on the amount of radiation received from the sun?

The ozone layer has the greatest effect on the amount of ultraviolet radiation received at the earth's surface from the Sun. Cloud formation and atmospheric thickness, in combination with solar angle, have the greatest effect on the amount of visible and infrared radiation received at the earth's surface from the sun


What factors of the atmosphere seem to have the greatest effect on the amount of radiation received from the sun?

The ozone layer has the greatest effect on the amount of ultraviolet radiation received at the earth's surface from the Sun. Cloud formation and atmospheric thickness, in combination with solar angle, have the greatest effect on the amount of visible and infrared radiation received at the earth's surface from the sun