GEOG 1125 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Carbon Cycle, Adaptive Capacity, Positive Feedback
24 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Insolation: solar radiation intercepted by earth; is unevenly distributed: point of direct insolation is called the subsolar point. Axial tilt: earth"s is 23. 5 degrees, meaning that the equator isn"t always getting the most insolation: solar energy: the sun"s rays illuminate twice as much area at 60 degrees as at 0 degrees. Seasonality: seasons result from the sun"s position above the horizon (altitude), the latitude of the subsolar point (sun"s inclination), and changing day length during the year. Temperature is a product of insolation and is indicative of the average kinetic energy of the molecules of whatever you"re taking the temperature of: more insolation = an increase in temperature, elevation also effects temperature. Maritime vs. continental climate: water takes longer to heat up than land and longer to cool off, resulting in water having a moderating effect on temperature changes and extremes.
