Earth's Energy Balance & Global Air Circulation is one of 9 topics in the Grade 11 Geography CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Earth's energy balance refers to the relationship between:
Incoming solar radiation absorbed by the Earth-atmosphere system and outgoing longwave radiation re-radiated to space
The total rainfall and total evaporation occurring on Earth each year
The number of hot days and cold days recorded at a single weather station
The size of the ozone layer compared with the size of the troposphere
Answer: Incoming solar radiation absorbed by the Earth-atmosphere system and outgoing longwave radiation re-radiated to space — Earth's energy balance describes the relationship between incoming shortwave solar radiation absorbed by the Earth-atmosphere system and the outgoing longwave radiation it re-radiates back to space.
Easy
2. Which region of the Earth generally experiences a net annual energy surplus, receiving more solar energy than it loses as outgoing radiation?
Equatorial regions
Polar regions
Regions exactly at 60 degrees latitude only
No region ever experiences a net energy surplus
Answer: Equatorial regions — Equatorial regions receive concentrated, near-overhead solar energy year-round and experience a net annual energy surplus, while polar regions experience a net annual energy deficit.
Medium
3. What is the approximate angle, in degrees, of the tilt of the Earth's axis from vertical, which causes the seasons?
Answer: 23.5 — The Earth's axis is tilted at approximately 23.5 degrees from vertical; combined with the Earth's revolution around the sun, this tilt causes the changing seasons.
