Why is there a difference in the heat budget at various latitudes despite the Earth as a whole having a balanced heat budget? What happens at polar and tropical latitudes?


· The heat budget varies with latitude because the sun hits latitudes at different angles which then alters the distribution area of that solar radiation.
· Polar latitudes receive the sun's radiation from a very low angle. Although the amount of radiation from the sun is constant, the distribution of that radiation spreads over a larger area. Also, the radiation must travel through more of the atmosphere before reaching the surface of the Earth. These factors contribute to a high level of reflection of light energy in these regions.
· Tropical latitudes receive the sun's radiation from a nearly vertical angle. The same amount of solar energy being projected to the poles is concentrated into a smaller area. There is less atmosphere to travel through and minimal reflection.
· There is more solar energy received in tropical latitudes than polar latitudes.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Two cities are located at the same latitude (40 degrees). City A is in the Southern Hemisphere and City B is in the Northern Hemisphere. Assume the two cities reflect the general characteristics of the hemispheres where they are located

Which city should have the warmer winter temperatures? A) City A B) City B C) Both cities should have nearly identical winter temperatures.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Explain the role of convection in cloud formation.?

What will be an ideal response?

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

All of the following could be considered proxy data for measuring global warming EXCEPT

A. sea surface temperature. B. tree rings. C. ice cores.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The British set up __________ to grow tea, rubber, and coconuts on Ceylon.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences