Question 1
Paper 2Medium8 marksSatellite measurements estimate the daily-mean incident and reflected short-wave solar power per unit area for regions with the same underlying surface type. The two regions measured on day 2 were observed in the same season and had approximately matched cloud cover.
| Observation | Latitude | Cloud cover | Incident solar power / W m⁻² | Reflected solar power / W m⁻² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 30°N | Low | 250 | 50 |
| Day 2 | 30°N | Extensive | 250 | 90 |
| Day 2 | 60°N | Extensive | 180 | 81 |
(a)[3]
Determine the albedo for each of the three observations.
(b)[2]
Calculate the absorbed solar power per unit area at 30°N on day 1 and day 2.
(c)[2]
Use your answers to (a) and (b) to explain how changing cloud cover affects the daily albedo and absorbed solar power per unit area at 30°N.
(d)[1]
State what the comparison between the two day-2 observations suggests about the dependence of albedo on latitude.