GEOG 102 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Diurnal Cycle, Position Of The Sun, Thermal Reservoir
Document Summary
Equator (low latitude) = excess net radiation (energy) Therefore, low latitudinal energy = transported to high latitudes. Half of equators energy is carried in form of sensible heat by advection of warm air which masses to colder areas by winds of general circulation of atmosphere. ~15 % carried by warm ocean currents, which bring warm tropical water to high latitudes. Mid-high latitudes = emit more infrared radiation then received. The ocean/atmosphere transports heat which influences and creates climate. Since equator gains more net radiation than they loses, surface net radiation is positive. Tropics = absence of cold season, thus temp diffs. b/w seasons are small in tropics. Range of temperature in tropics is the smallest in the world. Equator always has 12 hours of daylight. Larger temperature ranges in the higher latitudes (polar) Amount of energy received per unit area decreases towards the poles. Temperature range is larger over land > water. Primary influence on mean annual temperature range: latitude.
