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Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature — Syllabus

CBSE · Class 11 · Geography

What Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature covers in CBSE Class 11 Geography: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

62 questions68 flashcards5 formulas & key relations5 concepts

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4 Topics · CBSE Class 11 Geography · 2026-27

Topics in Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature

1

1. Solar Radiation and Insolation

  • Incoming solar radiation received by the earth is called insolation.
  • The earth receives almost all its energy from the sun.
  • On an average, the earth receives 1.94 calories per sq. cm per minute at the top of its atmosphere.
2

2. Heating and Cooling of the Atmosphere

  • The earth heated by insolation transmits heat to the atmospheric layers near the surface in long wave form.
  • Conduction heats the air in contact with the land and the lower layers in contact with that air.
  • Convection is the vertical heating of the atmosphere as heated air rises in currents.
3

3. Heat Budget of the Earth

  • The earth as a whole does not accumulate or lose heat; it maintains its temperature.
  • This balance is called the heat budget or heat balance of the earth.
  • If 100 units of insolation are received at the top of the atmosphere, 35 units are reflected back to space before reaching the surface.
4

4. Temperature and Its Distribution

  • Heat and temperature are not the same: heat is the molecular movement of particles, while temperature is the measurement of how hot or cold a place is.
  • Temperature of air at any place is influenced by latitude, altitude, distance from the sea, air-mass circulation, warm and cold ocean currents, and local aspects.
  • Places near sea level are warmer than places at higher elevations because the atmosphere is heated from below.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Solar radiation controls heating of the atmosphere and Earth, and the balance between incoming and outgoing energy determines temperature distribution

InsolationEarth-Sun distanceVariation in insolationAtmospheric passage of solar radiationSpatial distribution of insolationHeating of atmosphereConductionConvection

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature for CBSE Class 11 Geography?
Key topics in Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature include Solar Radiation and Insolation, Heating and Cooling of the Atmosphere, Heat Budget of the Earth, Temperature and Its Distribution. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 11 exams.
How should I revise Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature for Class 11 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 62 practice questions on Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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