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Time of Day Air Temperature (°F) Insolation (W/m 2 ) 02:00 69.3 0 04:00 69.8 0 0

ID: 120219 • Letter: T

Question

Time of Day

Air Temperature (°F)

Insolation (W/m2)

02:00

69.3

0

04:00

69.8

0

06:00

67.0

1

08:00

65.9

78

10:00

71.3

335

12:00

76.4

520

14:00

79.4

554

16:00

81.1

466

18:00

80.7

280

20:00

78.1

45

22:00

73.2

0

00:00

70.1

0

Using the table above and what you know about the energy budget, pick the answer that best explains your thinking.

More data is needed to access this correlation and explain what is going on.

Temperature and insolation do not correspond in any way.  

There appears to be a short lag between the time when the most solar radiation is received and the time when temperatures are the highest. This is due to the peak longwave radiation emittance.

When the most shortwave solar radiation (insolation) is being received the temperature is the hottest, therefore, the temperature and insolation data correspond exactly

Time of Day

Air Temperature (°F)

Insolation (W/m2)

02:00

69.3

0

04:00

69.8

0

06:00

67.0

1

08:00

65.9

78

10:00

71.3

335

12:00

76.4

520

14:00

79.4

554

16:00

81.1

466

18:00

80.7

280

20:00

78.1

45

22:00

73.2

0

00:00

70.1

0

Explanation / Answer

The answer is: There appears to be a short lag between the time when the most solar radiation is received and the time when temperatures are the highest. This is due to the peak longwave radiation emittance.

At mid-day insolation is greater, but highest temperature is at 16:00. Thermal energy is rediating continuously throuughout the day from the surface of the earth. And there is incoming solar radiation only when Sun is above the horizon. At the mid day as the Sun is directly overheaded, the insolation is highest. But there is a lag between highest insolation and maximum temperature, due to the pick of longwave radiation.

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