PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Region’s Premier University of Choice

Earth’s Energy and Seasons

Module 2
Science 111: METEOROLOGY

IRENE J. URBANO
Instructor
Sun-Earth Relationship
 Solar energy is
not distributed equally
over Earth’s land-sea
surface. The amount of
energy received varies
with latitude, time of
the day, and season of
the year.
Earth’s Motion

Rotation vs. Revolution

Perihelion vs Aphelion
- The distance between Earth and Sun averages about 150
million kilometers.
The Seasons
The seasonal variation in the angle of the Sun above the horizon affects
the amount of energy received at Earth’s surface in two ways.

(1) when the Sun is directly overhead (at a 90o angle), the solar rays
are most concentrated.
The Seasons

(2) The angle of the Sun determines the thickness of

atmosphere that the rays must penetrate.
Earth’s Orientation

Earth's axial tilt (also

known as the
obliquity of the
ecliptic) is about 23.5
degrees.
Earth’s Orientation
Solstices and Equinoxes

1. June 21/22, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, when the
vertical rays of the Sun are striking 23 ½o north latitude (Tropic of Cancer);
2. December 21/22, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, when the
vertical rays of the Sun are striking 23 ½o south latitude (Tropic of Capricorn);
3. September 22/23, the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, when
the vertical rays of the Sun strike the equator; and
4. March 21/22, the spring, or vernal, equinox in the Northern Hemisphere,
when the vertical rays of the Sun also strike the equator.
 ENERGY, HEAT, AND TEMPERATURE

Energy comes to Earth from the Sun in the form of

electromagnetic radiation

large hailstones suspended by an winds associated with a hurricane

updraft in a towering cloud have can possess more energy than do
potential energy due to their position. light, localized breezes.
Temperature
Temperature is a quantity that describes how
warm or cold an object is with respect to some
standard measure.

Heat
Heat is defined as the transfer of energy into or
out of an object because of temperature differences
between the object and its surroundings.
 MECHANISMS OF HEAT TRANSFER

In heat-transfer mechanisms, heat flows from warmer substances

to cooler substances. This flow of energy called heat can occur in three
ways: conduction, convection, and radiation.

MECHANISMS OF HEAT TRANSFER

(1) Conduction is the transfer of heat through
electron and molecular collisions from one
molecule to another.
(2) Convection is heat transfer that involves the
actual movement or circulation of a substance.
It takes place in liquids where the material is
able to flow.
(3) Radiation is the heat-transfer mechanism by
which solar energy reaches our planet.