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Absorption of Insolation by the Atmosphere

How does the atmosphere absorb the incoming solar radiation (insolation)

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Ozone and other gases in the upper atmosphere absorb high-energy radiation, such as X rays and gamma rays.

Long wave radiation, such as infrared, is absorbed by water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Absorption of Insolation

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The angle of the sun Latitude Season Time of day

Losses of energy passing through the atmosphere

Factors that determine the amount of insolation

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Factors that affect the average temperature of land and water

At a given latitude, the average temperature of land and water can differ for the following four reasons: Water has a higher specific heat than soil

or rock. This means that water must absorb more energy to undergo a temperature change.

Water reflects low-angle insolation better than land.

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Factors that affect the average temperature of land and water

Because water is transparent, insolation penetrates more deeply and more quickly than land.

Convection currents in the water carry heat energy deeper than land through conduction.

The result of all these factors is that land heats faster than water. Land also loses its limited heat energy more quickly, so land cools faster than water.

In other words, good absorbers of energy are good radiators of energy.

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The surplus heat of the low latitude tropics must move toward the poles to balance the heat deficit in the high latitudes.

The Latitudinal Radiation Imbalance

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