Deficit 450
Incominstation
400
350
300
TTT7
Surplus
250
200
These differences in energy gain all
there is an energy imbalance in the radiation budget at the
tropics and the poles. The atmosphere and oceans move surplus
heat energy at the tropics towards the poles. This maintains the
Earth's overall energy balance.
Activity 1
Analyse a radiation budget
Study FIGURE A Showing the December radiation budget for
the Earth at different latitudes, and then answer the following
questions:
1
What is the highest amount of incoming radiation?
The place with the highest incoming radiation is in which
hemisphere? Give a reason for your answer. (Hint: What is
the season?)
At what latitude in this hemisphere is there a balance
between incoming and outgoing radiation?
In this hemisphere, what was the amount of surplus energy
recorded for December at a latitude of 45°?
What is the energy balance at 45° latitude in the other
hemisphere? Explain the difference.
energy (watts per square metre)
150
100
•deficit
50
0
65
45
85
s
The De
FIGURE A
the Earth
Term 1 Topic 1 Unit Th​