Quiz Solar radiation, heat balance, and temperature

The sun’s rays are vertical on the equator on which dates?

• March 21 and September 23

• June 21 and December 22

• March 23 and September 21

• June 22 and December 21

Insolation means—

• Incoming solar radiation

• Outgoing terrestrial radiation

• Reflected solar radiation

• Radiation from the Earth

The amount of insolation received on Earth’s surface depends mainly on—

• Longitude

• Latitude

• Ocean currents

• Wind direction

The atmosphere is heated mostly by—

• Direct solar radiation

• Terrestrial radiation

• Scattering of sunlight

• Convection currents

Which gas absorbs most of the terrestrial radiation?

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

• Carbon dioxide

• Argon

The percentage of incoming solar radiation absorbed by Earth’s surface is about—

• 25%

• 35%

• 51%

• 75%

The Earth’s energy balance refers to—

• The difference between incoming and outgoing radiation

• Heat from the sun

• Movement of air currents

The albedo of the Earth is approximately—

• 10%

• 20%

• 30%

• 40%

Which surface has the highest albedo?

• Forest

• Desert

• Fresh snow

• Ocean

The equator receives more heat than the poles because—

• Sun’s rays are slanting at the equator

• Sun’s rays are vertical at the equator

• Equator has more land

• Air is thinner