The Sun
Earth's greatest source of energy is the sun. The sun drives the weather patterns around the Earth with its rays, heat and light.
The sun is a sphere of gases and is approximately 150 million kilometres away from the planet Earth. The energy that the sun provides Earth is called solar energy and it travels to Earth in waves.
Of this energy, approximately 15 percent is absorbed by the atmosphere around the Earth, approximately 42 percent is reflected from Earth into space, and approximately 43 percent is absorbed into the Earth's surface. The amount of energy that reaches the Earth each day from the sun is equal to the amount that would be produced, in one day, by 200 million electric power stations.
Without the rays from the sun planet Earth would look and feel very different. It would be a cold and frozen place without sunshine, very similar to the polar zones during their winter season.
The equator (the imaginary line that circles the globe) receives direct sun rays all year round. This means that places near the equator are always hot. Areas in the polar zones receive very little sunlight because the rays that reach them are slanted.
The sun also heats the air (temperature) and the water, which contributes to the water cycle, heats the Earth, gives energy to all living things and gives the Earth light.
The sun is a sphere of gases and is approximately 150 million kilometres away from the planet Earth. The energy that the sun provides Earth is called solar energy and it travels to Earth in waves.
Of this energy, approximately 15 percent is absorbed by the atmosphere around the Earth, approximately 42 percent is reflected from Earth into space, and approximately 43 percent is absorbed into the Earth's surface. The amount of energy that reaches the Earth each day from the sun is equal to the amount that would be produced, in one day, by 200 million electric power stations.
Without the rays from the sun planet Earth would look and feel very different. It would be a cold and frozen place without sunshine, very similar to the polar zones during their winter season.
The equator (the imaginary line that circles the globe) receives direct sun rays all year round. This means that places near the equator are always hot. Areas in the polar zones receive very little sunlight because the rays that reach them are slanted.
The sun also heats the air (temperature) and the water, which contributes to the water cycle, heats the Earth, gives energy to all living things and gives the Earth light.
Humidity
Humidity refers to the amount of vapour (water as a gas) in the atmosphere. Tropical climate zones, which are located near the Equator, often experience high humidity due to the amount of heat and sunlight they receive. This high humidity often creates an uncomfortable environment for people as the air is hot and damp and clothes become sticky.
Desert climate zones have very little water, therefore very little water vapour in the atmosphere. This creates a low humidity which can also be uncomfortable as a person's skin and throat can become very dry due to lack of moisture.
Humidity is measured as a ratio of how much moisture is present in the air compared with how much moisture can actually be held in the air. This is called the atmosphere's relative humidity. When air reaches 100 percent humidity it means the air is absolutely saturated and is holding as much water as it is able to. After this, the vapour will condense and fall as rain.
Desert climate zones have very little water, therefore very little water vapour in the atmosphere. This creates a low humidity which can also be uncomfortable as a person's skin and throat can become very dry due to lack of moisture.
Humidity is measured as a ratio of how much moisture is present in the air compared with how much moisture can actually be held in the air. This is called the atmosphere's relative humidity. When air reaches 100 percent humidity it means the air is absolutely saturated and is holding as much water as it is able to. After this, the vapour will condense and fall as rain.
Australia’s Weather & Climate
Australia is a large country with a variety of landscapes. This leads to varying temperatures and moisture levels across the country. Temperatures and humidity can vary greatly even in the one place over a year.
Air temperatures across Australia are generally hotter in the north of the country and cooler in the south. The areas that receive some of the lowest air temperatures are in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. These areas are also all alpine areas with high altitudes. The higher the altitude of an area the colder it will be because it is higher in the atmosphere.
The hottest Australian location is Marble Bar. It is located in the north-west area of Western Australia. The reasons for its high temperatures are its location near the Great Sandy Desert and the fact that it receives no cool winds to cool the atmosphere. During 1923 and 1924 Marble Bar experienced 160 consecutive days of high temperatures (above 38 degrees Celsius).
Air temperatures across Australia are generally hotter in the north of the country and cooler in the south. The areas that receive some of the lowest air temperatures are in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. These areas are also all alpine areas with high altitudes. The higher the altitude of an area the colder it will be because it is higher in the atmosphere.
The hottest Australian location is Marble Bar. It is located in the north-west area of Western Australia. The reasons for its high temperatures are its location near the Great Sandy Desert and the fact that it receives no cool winds to cool the atmosphere. During 1923 and 1924 Marble Bar experienced 160 consecutive days of high temperatures (above 38 degrees Celsius).