reasons why angles of insolation are not the same
1. Earth's Tilt: The tilt of Earth's axis is responsible for causing seasonal changes and varying angles of insolation at different locations. The angle of tilt changes the amount of insolation that reaches the surface of the earth.
2. Atmospheric Conditions: The Earth's atmosphere reflects and scatters sunlight, which means that the angle of insolation varies depending on the presence of clouds, greenhouse gases, and aerosols.
3. Geographical Location: Areas closer to the equator receive more direct angles of insolation than those near the poles due to the curvature of the Earth. Moreover, the Earth's rotation and revolution also impact the angle of insolation at the different locations throughout the year.
4. Time of Day: The angle of insolation can vary based on the time of day. Sunlight is more direct at noon than in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low on the horizon.
5. Reflection and Absorption: The angle of insolation can be affected by the amount of reflection and absorption that occurs. Materials such as snow, water, and foliage reflect or absorb sunlight, which results in varying angles of insolation.
There are several reasons why the angles of insolation, which refers to the angle at which sunlight reaches the Earth's surface, are not the same everywhere:
1. Earth's axial tilt: The Earth is tilted on its axis by about 23.5 degrees. As a result, different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of direct sunlight throughout the year. This tilt causes the angle of the Sun's rays to change, leading to seasonal variations in the angle of insolation.
2. Latitude: The Earth's surface is curved, and different latitudes receive sunlight at varying angles. Near the equator, sunlight strikes the surface more directly throughout the year, resulting in more direct and intense insolation. As you move towards the poles, the angle of insolation becomes increasingly oblique, leading to less direct and weaker sunlight.
3. Time of day: The angle of insolation also varies throughout the day due to the Earth's rotation. In the morning and evening, the Sun's rays are more oblique, resulting in a lower angle of insolation, while around midday, the Sun is higher in the sky, leading to a more perpendicular angle of insolation.
4. Atmospheric conditions: The Earth's atmosphere can affect the angle and intensity of insolation. Atmospheric particles, such as clouds, haze, or pollutants, can scatter or absorb solar radiation, leading to changes in the angle of insolation reaching the surface.
Overall, the combination of Earth's axial tilt, latitude, time of day, and atmospheric conditions results in the angles of insolation not being the same everywhere on Earth.