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Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?
1. Rotation of the earth on its axis
2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays
3. The length of the day
4. The transparency of the atmosphere
5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspect
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- a)1, 2, 3 and 4 only
- b)2, 4 and 5 only
- c)1, 3 and 5 only
- d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the...
The earth's surface receives most of its energy in short wavelengths. The energy received by the earth is known as incoming solar radiation which in short is termed as insolation.
- As the earth is a geoid resembling a sphere, the sun's rays fall obliquely at the top of the atmosphere and the earth intercepts a very small portion of the sun's energy. On an average the earth receives 1.94 calories per sq. cm per minute at the top of its atmosphere.
- The solar output received at the top of the atmosphere varies slightly in a year due to the variations in the distance between the earth and the sun. During its revolution around the sun, the earth is farthest from the sun (152 million km) on 4th July. This position of the earth is called aphelion. On 3rd January, the earth is the nearest to the sun (147 million km). This position is called perihelion.
- Therefore, the annual insolation received by the earth on 3rd January is slightly more than the amount received on 4th July.
- Variability of Insolation at the Surface of the Earth
- The amount and the intensity of insolation vary during a day, in a season and in a year. The factors that cause these variations in insolation are :
- the rotation of earth on its axis
- the angle of inclination of the sun’s rays
- the length of the day
- the transparency of the atmosphere
- the configuration of land in terms of its aspect.
- The amount and the intensity of insolation vary during a day, in a season and in a year. The factors that cause these variations in insolation are :
- The last two however, have less influence. The fact that the earth’s axis makes an angle of 66½ with the plane of its orbit round the sun has a greater influence on the amount of insolation received at different latitudes.
- The second factor that determines the amount of insolation received is the angle of inclination of the rays. This depends on the latitude of a place. The higher the latitude the less is the angle they make with the surface of the earth resulting in slant sun rays.
- The area covered by vertical rays is always less than the slant rays. If more area is covered, the energy gets distributed and the net energy received per unit area decreases. Moreover, the slant rays are required to pass through greater depth of the atmosphere resulting in more absorption, scattering and diffusion.
- Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
Most Upvoted Answer
Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the...
Factors affecting insolation at the surface of the earth:
- Rotation of the earth on its axis: The rotation of the earth on its axis causes day and night cycles, affecting the distribution of insolation throughout the day.
- The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays: The angle at which the sun's rays hit the earth's surface determines the intensity of insolation received. This angle varies depending on the latitude and time of year, leading to seasonal variations in insolation.
- The length of the day: The length of daylight hours affects the duration over which insolation is received at the surface of the earth. Longer days result in more exposure to sunlight.
- The transparency of the atmosphere: The atmosphere plays a crucial role in determining how much insolation reaches the earth's surface. Factors such as clouds, dust particles, and pollution can scatter or absorb sunlight, affecting insolation levels.
- Configuration of land in terms of its aspect: The orientation of land surfaces, such as slopes or plains, can influence the amount of insolation received. Surfaces facing towards the sun (e.g., south-facing slopes) receive more direct sunlight compared to those facing away.
Therefore, all of these factors (rotation of the earth, angle of inclination of the sun's rays, length of the day, transparency of the atmosphere, and land configuration) collectively influence insolation at the surface of the earth. By understanding these factors, we can better comprehend the patterns of solar radiation and their impact on various geographical regions.
- Rotation of the earth on its axis: The rotation of the earth on its axis causes day and night cycles, affecting the distribution of insolation throughout the day.
- The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays: The angle at which the sun's rays hit the earth's surface determines the intensity of insolation received. This angle varies depending on the latitude and time of year, leading to seasonal variations in insolation.
- The length of the day: The length of daylight hours affects the duration over which insolation is received at the surface of the earth. Longer days result in more exposure to sunlight.
- The transparency of the atmosphere: The atmosphere plays a crucial role in determining how much insolation reaches the earth's surface. Factors such as clouds, dust particles, and pollution can scatter or absorb sunlight, affecting insolation levels.
- Configuration of land in terms of its aspect: The orientation of land surfaces, such as slopes or plains, can influence the amount of insolation received. Surfaces facing towards the sun (e.g., south-facing slopes) receive more direct sunlight compared to those facing away.
Therefore, all of these factors (rotation of the earth, angle of inclination of the sun's rays, length of the day, transparency of the atmosphere, and land configuration) collectively influence insolation at the surface of the earth. By understanding these factors, we can better comprehend the patterns of solar radiation and their impact on various geographical regions.
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Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Which of the following factors affect insolation at the surface of the earth?1. Rotation of the earth on its axis2. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays3. The length of the day4. The transparency of the atmosphere5. Configuration of land in terms of its aspectSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2, 3 and 4 onlyb)2, 4 and 5 onlyc)1, 3 and 5 onlyd)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an
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