Solar Power

Solar energy that is absorbed at Earth's surface is transformed into heat, which warms the surface. This heat can then be radiated back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation. Some of this heat is trapped by greenhouse gases, contributing to the Earth's overall temperature.

Solar energy affects Earth by providing energy for plant photosynthesis, leading to the production of food and oxygen. It also helps drive weather patterns and ocean currents due to the differential heating of the Earth's surface. Additionally, solar energy is harnessed through solar panels to generate electricity, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Different latitudes on Earth receive different amounts of solar energy because of the Earth's spherical shape and its tilted axis. The angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth varies, with higher latitudes receiving sunlight at a more oblique angle, spreading the energy over a larger surface area. This results in less solar energy reaching higher latitudes compared to lower latitudes, which receive sunlight more directly.

Solar energy can impact the hydrosphere by driving processes like evaporation, which leads to the formation of clouds and ultimately precipitation. This rainfall replenishes water bodies, impacting their quality and quantity. Additionally, solar energy can influence the temperature of water bodies, affecting their ecosystems and biodiversity.

If the Earth received less solar energy, it could result in a cooling of the climate, leading to lower temperatures globally. This change could disrupt ecosystems, affect agriculture, and potentially lead to shifts in weather patterns.

Only theoretically it is possible, but it is not easily done and will give a very dirty by product carbon monoxide (toxic as w/h/ell)

More conveniant is to electrolytically split water into hydrogen and oxygen by solar electrical energy collectors. It does not take away carbon dioxide from atmosphere, neither does splitting it into C and O2.

The latitude of the area is the most influential factor in determining the amount of solar energy it receives. Areas closer to the equator receive more direct sunlight and therefore more solar energy compared to areas further from the equator. Other factors such as season, time of day, and cloud cover can also impact the amount of solar energy received.

The region near the equator that receives the most solar energy is known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). This area experiences direct overhead sunlight throughout the year due to the Earth's tilt and typically receives high levels of solar radiation, making it one of the warmest and most humid regions on Earth.

Global climate is determined by a combination of factors including solar radiation, greenhouse gas concentrations, atmospheric circulation patterns, and ocean currents. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased greenhouse gas levels, leading to global warming and changes in climate patterns. Natural variability, such as volcanic eruptions and variations in solar output, also play a role in shaping global climate.

If you mean could you use the light from a bulb to energize a solar array or photovoltaic cell, the answer is yes. However the energy to run the bulb would exceed the energy produced by the array so you would have a net loss of energy in such a system.

Solar energy is absorbed by the Earth's surface through a process called absorption, where various surfaces like land, oceans, and vegetation absorb sunlight and convert it into heat energy. This heat energy is then radiated back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation, which is emitted by the Earth's surface to maintain its temperature balance.

Yes, Earth's surface absorbs solar energy in the form of sunlight. This energy is essential for driving processes like photosynthesis in plants, warming the atmosphere, and creating weather patterns. About 30% of the incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed by the surface.

The angle of incidence of the sun's rays is the factor that most influences the amount of solar energy absorbed at the Earth's surface. A higher angle means the rays have to pass through more atmosphere, reducing the intensity of the sunlight absorbed. Additionally, factors like cloud cover and air pollution can also impact the amount of solar energy reaching the surface.

During an ice age, the increased presence of ice and snow on the Earth's surface can lead to more solar energy being reflected back into space, rather than being absorbed by the surface. This can contribute to cooling temperatures and potentially prolonging the ice age.

Solar panels cannot generate electricity at night because they require sunlight to produce electricity through the photovoltaic effect. However, batteries or other storage systems can store excess electricity generated during the day for use at night.

An effect called foreshortening makes the solar panel appear smaller if you are not looking straight at it. Footbal (soccer) goalkeepers use this effect. They try to force an offensive player to the side of the pitch. Commentators then say that the goal is very small from that point of view.

The same is true from the point of view of the sun. If you rotate the solar panel so that the sun see the side of is, your solar panel will become small, it will cast little shadow and it will catch little power.

Solar cells can only convert a small range of light wavelengths to electrical energy due to what is called the "band gap" of the cell material. Any light falling on to the cell whose wavelength is outside of the range of the band gap is converted to heat instead of electricity.

A photon or light particle that comes from the sun has a certain amount of energy. Blue photons for example have an energy of 0.4 aJ. Red photons have half that energy.

If a photovoltaic cell is built, a certain energy band gap is chosen. If it is too large, a photon will not be absorbed, if it is too small, part of the energy is lost.

For instance if a photon of 0.4 aJ hits a solar cell of 0.3 aJ band gap, it will be absorbed and create an electron with energy 0.3 aJ. This gives an efficiency of 75%. If a 0.2 aJ photon hits this solar cell it will not be absorbed. Of the total energy of 0.6 aJ hitting the solar cell only 0.3 aJ is absorbed, a total efficiency of 50%.

The highest efficiencies are reach with solar cells that contain several layers with different (decreasing) band gaps.

Different places on Earth receive varying amounts of solar energy due to factors such as the angle of sunlight hitting the surface, the length of the day, and the presence of clouds or atmospheric conditions that can affect sunlight absorption. The Earth's spherical shape also means that the equator receives more direct sunlight, leading to higher solar energy intensity compared to the poles.

Nuclear fusion is the fusion of two nuclei (atoms) which, when combined, form a highly unstable element or isotope, which almost immediately breaks up, producing energy and more, smaller nuclei to continue this chain reaction. The energy given of can be harnassed as heat to heat water into steam to turn a turbine to produce electricity, in which case the reaction would be controled, or it can be allowed to go out of control, in which case it would produce a massive explosion.

One advantage of geothermal power is that it provides a consistent and reliable source of renewable energy. One advantage of solar power is that it is abundant and freely available to harness, making it a sustainable energy source.

The Atacama desert

The region near the equator, known as the tropics, receives the most solar energy. This area is characterized by having the sun directly overhead at noon during the equinoxes, resulting in nearly equal day and night lengths. Due to the Earth's tilt, the tropics experience a more direct angle of sunlight, leading to more intense solar radiation and higher temperatures compared to other regions. The equatorial region is also home to rainforests, which benefit from the abundant solar energy to support high levels of biodiversity and lush vegetation.

The region near the equator that receives the most solar energy is the Tropics, also known as the Intertropical Zone. This area receives the most direct sunlight throughout the year due to its proximity to the equator and experiences consistent high temperatures and solar radiation levels.