Why is it colder when the earth is closer to the sun?

Answer 1

The air temperature actually doesn't get lower because of approaching towards the sun.

The concept behind this is that, the atmosphere on earth traps the heat from the solar radiations. This is what we call as 'Greenhouse effect'. This occurs because the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere stops the heat reflected from the earth to go back into space, upto some extent. Without the greenhouse effect, the temperature at the equator would be 16

Answer 2

When the Earth is at its perihelion - when it is closest to the sun - the Northern hemisphere is experiencing winter, while the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing summer. The Earth, as a whole, isn't actually colder during the perihelion. The cooler temperatures in the Northern hemisphere during this point along the Earth's orbit around the sun has more to do with the tilt of the Earth's axis rather than its distance from the sun. As such, when the Earth is at its aphelion - when it is furthest from the sun - the Northern hemisphere is experiencing summer and the Southern hemisphere is experiencing winter.

During the winter solstice - which occurs about two weeks prior to the Earth's perihelion - the Earth's Northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, and experiences the shortest day of the year. Due to the reduction in the amount of daylight hours, temperatures in the Northern hemisphere are lower compared to when its the summer solstice (when the Northern hemisphere experiences the longest day of the year).

Answer 3

Air is an ideal gas, therefore pressure and temperature are directly related. The following equation, describes how air and Temperature relate to one another for air.

P1/T1 = P2/T2 or

T2 = P2/P1 * T1

where 1 describes height 1 and

2 describes height 2.

P is pressure and T is temperature.

as the distance from the earth increases (height), pressure decreases. As a result, temperature decreases as well.

ex: Lets say H2 > H1, and P2 = 1 Pa (Pascal "Pa" is the unit for pressure) and P1 = 2 Pa. The temperature at H1 is T1 = 50 C. What is the temperature at H2?

T2 = P2/P1 *T1 = 1/2 * 50 = 25 C.

Answer 4

The temperature does not drop as you approach the sun. There is a region around the sun known as the chromosphere which is about 25,000 K, while the photosphere beneath it is only 4000 K. This temperature difference may be explained by "magnetic reconnection."

But in general, solar electromagnetic radiation (including light and heat) increase with the square of the reciprocal of the distance between you and the sun. Within the sun itself the temperature gradient increases as one approaches the core.

Answer 5

The air temperature actually doesn't get lower because of approaching towards the sun.

The concept behind this is that, the atmosphere on earth traps the heat from the solar radiations. This is what we call as 'Greenhouse effect'. This occurs because the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere stops the heat reflected from the earth to go back into space, upto some extent. Without the greenhouse effect, the temperature at the equator would be 16°c.

But as we advance upwards in the atmosphere, the concentration of CO2 lowers. As a result, less heat is trapped in the upper part of the atmosphere and as a result, less temperature is observed. The air temperature actually doesn't get lower because of approaching towards the sun.

The concept behind this is that, the atmosphere on earth traps the heat from the solar radiations. This is what we call as 'Greenhouse effect'. This occurs because the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere stops the heat reflected from the earth to go back into space, upto some extent. Without the greenhouse effect, the temperature at the equator would be 16°c.

But as we advance upwards in the atmosphere, the concentration of CO2 lowers. As a result, less heat is trapped in the upper part of the atmosphere and as a result, less temperature is observed.

Answer 6

The distance between the Earth and the Sun doesn't directly determine temperature. Earth's tilt on its axis and its orbit shape (elliptical) are what cause seasons. When it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere, that region is tilted away from the Sun and receives less direct sunlight, leading to colder temperatures.

Answer 7

The lower atmosphere is heated by the ground.

Answer 8

The lower atmosphere is heated by the ground.