This chapter discusses how solar radiation affects the Earth's atmosphere, the heat balance, and the resulting temperature distribution across the planet.
What role does advection play in atmospheric heating?
What is the primary driver of the Earth's heat budget?
What is the role of clouds in the Earth's heat balance?
What happens to the surplus radiation in the tropics?
How does distance from the sea influence temperature?
What is the significance of the heat budget of the Earth?
What is 'albedo' in the context of terrestrial radiation?
Where is the effect of ocean currents more pronounced?
How does distance from the sea influence temperature?
What happens to the surplus heat energy from the tropics?
Why do isotherms bend towards the poles during January?