Geography 100 Online Exercise 3 Earth Sun Relationships

Geography 100 Onlineexercise 3 Earth Sun Relationships And The Seaso

Earth-Sun relationships are important in understanding climate and weather patterns. Variations in the amount of solar energy at the earth's surface are a direct consequence of the earth's position and orientation in orbit. Variations in the angle of intercepted solar radiation, and differences in daylength are responsible for seasons.

1) Figure 1 is a view of the Earth in orbit looking down on the northern hemisphere. Match the correct letter in Figure 1 with each of these seasonal events (6 points): aphelion, perihelion, vernal equinox, autumnal equinox, summer solstice, winter solstice.

2) At what two points in the Earth’s orbit are daylengths the same at all latitudes? (1 point).

3) Which of the following latitudes experiences the longest period in the circle of illumination on January 1? (1 point): 36° S, 18° N, 35° N, 63° N.

4) For the locations listed below, calculate the solar noon sun angle (angle of incidence) for the following locations on the days listed. Use the formula: angle of incidence = 90° - (latitude + declination). Keep in mind the declination for the specific dates provided.

• Honolulu, Hawaii (19° N) on: May 15, December 21
• Seattle, Washington (47° N) on: April 15, October 20
• Nome, Alaska (65° N) on: December 21, June 21

5) Examine the pattern of sunlight, latitude, and time of year in Table 1. Answer the following questions:

• a) What is the approximate daylength for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (23.5° N) on June 21?
• b) What is the approximate daylength for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (40° N) on December 21? How does this compare with Oslo, Norway (60° N) on the same day?

6) Using Figure 1 and Figure 2, answer the following:

• a) How much insolation does Seattle’s latitude receive on January 31?
• b) How much insolation does Miami’s latitude receive on June 1?
• c) Which latitude experiences the greatest variation in insolation over the year, and what is the magnitude of this variation in watts/m²/day?

Discuss the case studies from your textbook:

• Evaluate the key actors influencing the budgetary process and how constraints affected the outcomes, including the political context involved.
• Analyze how actors’ expectations shaped reforms and setbacks, and discuss advantages and disadvantages of administrative reforms with relevant examples.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The relationship between the Earth and Sun plays a fundamental role in shaping climate patterns and seasonal variations across the globe. These variations are driven primarily by the Earth's axial tilt, orbital position, and the resulting differences in solar radiation received at various latitudes throughout the year. A detailed understanding of these concepts is essential in meteorology, geography, and environmental science to comprehend seasonal changes, daylight hours, and insolation levels.

Earth-Sun Positional Events and The Seasons

In the context of Earth's orbit and axial tilt, key seasonal events include the perihelion and aphelion, as well as solstices and equinoxes. Perihelion refers to the point in Earth's orbit where it is closest to the Sun, occurring around January 3rd, while aphelion is when Earth is farthest from the Sun, around July 4th. The vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring, approximately March 21, when day and night are roughly equal, occurring at the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading north. Conversely, the autumnal equinox around September 22 signifies the Sun crossing the celestial equator heading south. The summer solstice, around June 21, occurs when the Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest day due to the tilt of 23.5° toward the Sun, marking the peak of northern solar radiation. Conversely, the winter solstice, about December 21, is when the Northern Hemisphere receives the least solar energy, as the tilt is directed away from the Sun. Matching these events with the provided figure, the points that correspond to these key events highlight the Earth's orbital position in relation to the Sun’s apparent movement.

Daylength Equilibrium Points in Earth's Orbit

The two points in Earth's orbit where daylengths are equal at all latitudes are the equinoxes—vernal and autumnal. During these times, the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun, resulting in nearly 12 hours of daylight and darkness worldwide. This balance occurs because the Sun's rays strike the equator perpendicularly, and the circle of illumination encompasses the entire globe evenly. These equal daylength points provide crucial reference moments in understanding seasonal transitions and solar angles at various latitudes.

Latitude with Longest Circle of Illumination on January 1

On January 1, the circle of illumination—representing regions of daylight—shifts toward the Southern Hemisphere, where most regions experience longer periods of sunlight if they are in the subtropical and tropical zones. Among the options provided, 35° N is likely to experience the shortest duration of darkness or light, given its position relative to Earth's tilt during the Northern Hemisphere winter. Thus, the latitude closest to the pole, 63° N, endures the shortest daylight period, whereas locations closer to the equator maintain relatively consistent daylight durations. Consequently, 63° N experiences the longest night on January 1.

Calculating Solar Noon Sun Angles

Using the given formula and declination data:

• Honolulu on May 15 (declination 19° N):Sun angle = 90° - (19° + 19°) = 90° - 38° = 52°.
• Honolulu on December 21 (declination 23.5° S):Sun angle = 90° - (19° + (-23.5°)) = 90° - (-4.5°) = 94.5°. Since this exceeds 90°, the sun appears very low, close to the horizon.
• Seattle on April 15 (declination 9.5° N):Sun angle = 90° - (47° + 9.5°) = 90° - 56.5° = 33.5°.
• Seattle on October 20 (declination 10° S):Sun angle = 90° - (47° + (-10°))= 90° - 37°= 53°.
• Nome on December 21 (declination 23.5° S):Sun angle = 90° - (65° + (-23.5°)) = 90° - 41.5° = 48.5°.
• Nome on June 21 (declination 23.5° N):Sun angle = 90° - (65° + 23.5°) = 90° - 88.5°= 1.5°.

Daylight Duration Patterns

The approximate daylength at Cabo San Lucas (23.5° N) during the June solstice approaches nearly 14 hours, reflecting the maximum insolation period at that latitude. Conversely, Philadelphia (40° N) experiences approximately 9-10 hours of daylight during December, highlighting seasonal variation. Comparatively, Oslo, Norway at 60° N endures only about 6-7 hours, emphasizing the polar day/night cycle's impact on higher mid-latitudes.

Insolation and Its Variations

Insolation, measured in watts per square meter per day (W/m²/day), varies significantly with latitude and time of year. For Seattle at approximately 47° N on January 31, insolation levels are quite low, around 200-300 W/m²/day, due to the low sun angle and reduced daylight hours. Conversely, Miami at approximately 25° N on June 1 receives high insolation, approximately 1000-1250 W/m²/day, driven by high sun angles and longer daylight periods. Among the latitudes considered, the polar regions (above 66° N or south) experience the greatest variation, exceeding 1000 W/m²/day in summer and dropping near zero during winter, resulting in a variation often exceeding 1500 W/m²/day.

Impacts of Earth-Sun Dynamics on Climate

The cyclical patterns of insolation profoundly influence Earth's climate zones. Regions near the equator receive relatively constant insolation year-round, fostering tropical climates. In contrast, high-latitude regions undergo extreme variations, fostering tundra and boreal forest environments. The seasonal shifts also drive phenomena such as monsoons, snow cover, and seasonal migrations, illustrating the interconnectedness of Earth's orbital mechanics and climate systems.

Case Study Analyses

In analyzing the case studies from the textbook, the key actors influencing budgetary processes include government officials, political parties, interest groups, and the public. These actors' roles are shaped by their vested interests, political ideologies, and economic constraints. Budget constraints often result in compromise solutions, with trade-offs compromising optimal reforms—such as austerity measures leading to reduced public services or delayed investments. The political context, including election cycles and power dynamics, heavily influences these outcomes.

The expectations of various actors—such as government agencies, advocacy groups, and voters—shape reform processes, either facilitating progress or creating setbacks. Administrative reforms entail advantages like increased efficiency and transparency but also face disadvantages such as bureaucratic resistance, short-term disruptions, and political opposition. For example, healthcare reforms often face opposition from vested interests, whereas successes in education reforms demonstrate the importance of stakeholder engagement and phased implementation.

Overall, understanding the complex interplay between actors, political constraints, and expectations is vital for designing effective policies in democratic systems. These case analyses underscore the necessity of strategic negotiation and stakeholder consensus in implementing meaningful reforms.

References

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