Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
THE glObAl
EnERgy sysTEm
C H A P T E R F O U R
You have examined Earth's geometric relationship with the Sun and how it influences the distribution of solar
radiation seasonally and by latitude. Now we will look more closely at the way this radiation is intercepted by Earth,
how it flows through the atmosphere, how it interacts with the land and ocean surfaces, and how it maintains a
balance with outgoing radiation on a global scale. Understanding these relationships is critical to comprehending
many Earth processes discussed in later chapters, such as wind, weather, and ocean currents, because the Sun
provides the energy required to power them, either directly or indirectly. We begin by investigating the concept of
radiation energy and how it is measured.
