The amount of solar energy received at various parts of Earth varies ...
- The Earth is pear-shaped: however, its shape has a bearing on the gravitation forces more, rather than changing the amount of solar energy received at various latitudes.
- If the Earth was vertically flat and not lilted, all places would have received the same solar energy. The dominance of water bodies a (Teels how the solar energy received is distributed, it does not change the amount of energy received per se (barring glaciers that reflect sunlight).
The amount of solar energy received at various parts of Earth varies ...
The amount of solar energy received at various parts of Earth varies according to latitude because of the curvature of the Earth.
Curvature of the Earth:
- The Earth is a sphere, and due to its rounded shape, the sunlight hits different parts of the Earth at different angles.
- The curvature of the Earth causes the solar energy to be spread over a larger surface area as we move away from the equator.
- This means that the same amount of solar energy is distributed over a larger area, resulting in lower solar energy intensity.
Angle of Incidence:
- The angle at which the sunlight reaches the Earth's surface affects the intensity of solar energy received at a particular location.
- Near the equator, the angle of incidence is more direct, resulting in higher solar energy intensity.
- As we move away from the equator towards the poles, the angle of incidence becomes more oblique, leading to a decrease in solar energy intensity.
Length of Daylight:
- The amount of solar energy received at a particular location also depends on the length of daylight.
- Near the equator, the length of daylight is relatively constant throughout the year, resulting in a consistent amount of solar energy.
- However, as we move towards the poles, the length of daylight varies significantly with the seasons, leading to fluctuations in the amount of solar energy received.
Seasonal Variations:
- The tilt of the Earth's axis causes the change in seasons, which further affects the amount of solar energy received.
- During summer in the hemisphere tilted towards the Sun, the amount of solar energy received is higher due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
- In contrast, during winter in the hemisphere tilted away from the Sun, the amount of solar energy received is lower due to shorter daylight hours and less direct sunlight.
Conclusion:
The curvature of the Earth plays a significant role in the variation of solar energy received at different latitudes. The angle of incidence, length of daylight, and seasonal variations all contribute to the differences in solar energy intensity. Understanding these factors is crucial for harnessing solar energy efficiently and effectively.