The Sun’s Energy The energy Earth receives from the sun is called insolation This is what warms the Earth However…

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Slide 2 The Suns Energy The energy Earth receives from the sun is called insolation This is what warms the Earth However Slide 3 Shape Matters Not all areas of the Earth receive the same amount of energy. This is because the Earth is a sphere, and the suns energy is only coming from one point in space. The equator receives more energy from the sun than the polar regions. Slide 4 Intensity Of Insolation The intensity of insolation depends on the angle at which the suns rays strike the Earths surface. When the sun is directly overhead, the angle of insolation is 90, and the Earths surface receives the maximum amount of energy. As the angle of insolation decreases, the energy of the rays is spread out over a larger area, so the energy per unit area decreases. The sunlight must also travel farther through the atmosphere, so that more insolation is absorbed or reflected before it reaches Earths surface. Slide 5 Equator Vs. Poles Sun Overhead = Greatest Insolation Sun At Large Angle = Least Insolation Slide 6 Polar Insolation Visual Slide 7 Equator Insolation Visual Slide 8 Time Of Year Matters Due to Earths tilt, the insolation the hemispheres receive is different depending on the time of year. On June 21 st, the northern hemisphere receives their maximum insolation. On December 21 st, the southern hemisphere receives its maximum insolation. Slide 9 Monthly Mean Temperature Slide 10 Putting It All Together Slide 11