AP Environmental Science / Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
4.7 Solar Radiation and Earth's Seasons
Notes
Sunlight is most intense at the equator (direct rays) and less at the poles (spread over a larger area).
- Seasons come from Earth's 23.5° tilt, not distance from the sun.
- Albedo: how much light a surface reflects (ice is high, forest is low).
Practice
Seasons are caused by:
Changing angle of sunlight.
Which has the highest albedo?
Reflects most light.
Polar areas are cold because sunlight:
Less energy per area.
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