Where does the largest input of solar energy occur?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To answer where the largest input of solar energy occurs, we need to recall how solar irradiance varies with latitude.
Option 1: 'the South pole' – The South Pole receives sunlight at a very oblique angle for much of the year and has minimal annual solar input compared to the equator, so this is not where the largest input occurs.
Option 2: 'the equator' – The equatorial region receives sunlight more directly throughout the year, leading to the highest average solar radiation per unit area, making this the location of the largest solar energy input.
Option 3: 'the North pole' – Similar to the South Pole, the poles receive sunlight at low angles and for limited portions of the year, resulting in lower average solar input than the equator.
Option 4: 'at 30° S' – This latitude is poleward enough that solar incidence angles begin to reduce direct solar heating relative to the equator, so it does not maximize input.
Option 5: 'at 30° N' – Same reasoning as 30° S: while it gets substantial sunlight, it is still less direct and less consistent than at the equator, leading to a smaller average input.
Overall, the key concept is that solar energy per unit area is greatest where solar rays strike most directly and consistently, which occurs near the equator due to the sun’s angle of incidence and day-to-day solar geometry.
Thus, the statement identifying the equator as the zone of largest solar energy input aligns with the fundamental patterns of insolation across latitudes.

11:375:101:91 INTRO ENV SCIENCE Quiz #10

Where does the largest input of solar energy occur?

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

Incoming solar radiation received at the top of the atmosphere varies with latitude due to

Based on Figure 3, a beam of sunlight covers a __________________ area over higher latitudes than near the Equator.

Why are tropical regions warmer than temperate regions?

Why are tropical regions warmer than temperate regions?

Where does the largest input of solar energy occur?

Over the oceans, where do the highest annual values for insolation occur?

his location receives the LEAST insolation because …

For this question you will need to use 4CE Figure 2.9, “Daily insolation received at the top of the atmosphere,” p. 50 (3CE, Figure 2-10, p. 48). The dashed vertical lines represent Sept 21, June 21, Mar 21 and Dec 21 Which location receives the most insolation on DECEMBER 21?

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单