Solar energy and Earth

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Solar energy and Earth
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Measurements

• Latitude distance from equator to North or South
  pole
• Longitude distance from east or west from line
  called prime meridian.

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Hot and Cold

• The sun hits equator perpendicular (90o)
• Earth absorbs maximum amount of energy.

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• When the sun hits below or above equator, the
  intensity of light is spread out over an area.
• Less energy is absorbed, so cooler.

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Seasons

• The Earth is tilted 23.5o while spinning on axis
  and rotating around Sun.
• When the Earth is tilted towards the Sun it is
  Summer in Northern Hemisphere

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Summer
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• When Earth is tilted away from Sun it is winter
  in N. H.

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Climates

• Average weather condition over many years.
• Polar, temperate and tropical

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Polar

• Found in the arctic circle and antarctic circle.
• Receive 24h of darkness during winter and 24h
  daylight during summer.
• No significant warming because of angles of Suns
  rays.

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Temperate

• Found below polar circles and above Tropic of
  capricorn and cancer.
• Weather conditions vary, significant difference
  in temp during summer and winter

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Tropical

• Found between Tropic of Capricorn and Cancer
  (23.5o from equator)
• Suns rays are perpendicular here all year,
  because of tilt of Earth, so warm year round.