UPSC Notes

All the rest of the energy is absorbed in the atmosphere and in the earth. Since the efficiencies in the upward and downward fluxes differ in different places, it follows that some locations will be cooler than others. The overall picture is one of a planet that is continuously being cooled from radiation from outer

The earth receives energy in the form of solar radiation. The incoming solar energy passes through the atmosphere, enters the surface (land or ocean), and eventually appears as land or ocean heating. At the same time, the earth emits longwave (infrared) radiation to space, mainly due to thermal properties of the atmosphere. This process is

The insolation received by the earth is in short waveforms and heats up its surface. The earth, after being heated itself becomes a radiating body and radiates energy to the atmosphere in the long waveform. This energy heats up the atmosphere from below. This process is known as terrestrial radiation. The longwave radiation is absorbed

The heating and cooling of the atmosphere is a regular process. All objects which get heated up by insolation get cooled down after some time. The earth being a part of the solar system also gets heated up by insolation from the sun. This warming process does not remain uniform, there are different ways in

Solar radiation is radiant energy emitted by the sun from a nuclear fusion reaction that creates electromagnetic energy. That is true, but what most do not understand is the amazing amount of information the radiation contains. Information such as location, object type, and shape can all be obtained from measuring radiated energy intensity patterns. As

The atmosphere is a complex gaseous structure around our planet. It serves many purposes, such as creating the wind, lightening and precipitation. The atmosphere can be divided into five layers based on temperature. These layers are named troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and finally the exosphere. The column of atmosphere is divided into five different layers

The composition of atmosphere is made up of different gases which surrounds the earth. Two important gases nitrogen and oxygen together are found on the 99% part of the atmosphere. The other components includes carbon dioxide, argon, carbon monoxide, neon, helium and various other gases. Gases The composition of the atmosphere is very important when

Erosional landforms are formed through a variety of erosional processes including weathering, decay, chemical reactions, and water. Erosion occurs when surface material is removed from the Earth’s surface by any natural process. Pediments and Pediplains Gently inclined rocky floors close to the mountains at their foot with or without a thin cover of debris, are

Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the air by the Sun, the irregularities of the Earth’s surface, and rotation of the Earth. The desert floors get heated up too much and too quickly because of being dry and barren. The heated floors heat up the air directly above them and result in upward

Landforms are formed by vast quantities of sand, gravel and debris which are carried by water. Depositional landforms include beaches, spits and bars. These three form during two different depositional processes. Beaches form as water carrying sediment comes to rest at the coastline; however, spits and bars (which are very similar) form due to sediment