5.2: Global Energy Balance
- Page ID
- 51163
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Energy Balance applied globally
In Investigation 1.1, we learned how the Angle of Insolation plays a vital role in determining how much energy is incident upon the Earth. The Earth's tilt results in different regions of the Earth absorbing differing amounts of solar radiation. Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) shows the average incoming and outgoing radiation for each latitude.
- From the Equator (latitude 0) to approximately 38°N/S, incoming solar radiation (blue) is greater than outgoing radiation (orange). In theory, temperatures at these locations should:
- Increase
- Decrease
- Not change
- Meanwhile, from approximately 38°N/S poleward (towards the edges of this chart), incoming solar radiation (blue) is less than outgoing radiation (orange). Here, temperatures at these locations should:
- Increase
- Decrease
- Stay the same
Since there is an excess of heat near the equator and a deficit near the poles, natural processes (like weather) redistribute that heat surplus towards the poles, while bringing cooler air down towards the equator. These processes are what give us our most extreme weather. However, as the climate changes, the difference in temperatures between the equator and the poles will change too, causing this weather machine to shift in ways we can't fully predict.