Question

Heat balance is the__________
A) State of equilibrium on earth between the incoming insolation from Venus and outgoing terrestrial radiation from the earth.
B) State of equilibrium on earth between the incoming insolation from Mars and outgoing terrestrial radiation from the earth.
C) State of equilibrium on earth between the incoming insolation from the Sun and outgoing terrestrial radiation from the earth.
D) State of equilibrium on earth between the incoming insolation from the Moon and outgoing terrestrial radiation from the earth.

Answer 1

Hint: Our major source of energy and heat is the sun. Insolation refers to the amount of solar energy that reaches the planet. The top layer of the atmosphere, on the other hand, absorbs some of the heat from the sun's rays as they travel through it. Terrestrial radiation is the radiation that comes from the earth.

Complete answer:
Heat balance can be defined as the state of equilibrium between the incoming insolation from the Sun and outgoing terrestrial radiation from the Earth. The energy that Earth receives from the Sun is balanced by the energy that it loses into space.

The heat balance of the Earth is a critical component of what makes it habitable. The Earth's energy budget allows it to adapt to small variations in the amount of incoming radiation while maintaining a relatively constant temperature. This phenomenon is also linked to Earth's circulation and the transfer of solar energy to the planet. Almost the majority of the energy that the Earth gets comes from the Sun in the form of radiant radiation. The Earth's temperature is a delicate balancing act, with greenhouse gases in the atmosphere contributing to a habitable world. The temperature balance is maintained by a variety of processes. Hence, there is always a balance between the incoming solar radiation into the Earth and the outgoing radiation from it.

Theerfore the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: Changes in the composition of the Earth's atmosphere can alter the temperature at which the Earth balances, affecting the Earth's temperature. The values of energy received and reflected by the atmosphere fluctuate as the composition of the atmosphere varies. Changing variables like these cause a little, but substantial, energy imbalance on the planet. As a result of human activity, the energy imbalance continues to worsen.