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Syllabus

Insolation and Temperature — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 11 · Geography

What Insolation and Temperature covers in ICSE Class 11 Geography: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Part of the ICSE Class 11 Geography syllabus.

65 questions40 flashcards5 concepts

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4 Topics · ICSE Class 11 Geography · 2026-27

Topics in Insolation and Temperature

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1. Solar Radiation and Insolation

  • The Sun is an extremely hot gaseous spherical mass with a surface temperature of 6000°C.
  • The Earth is about 150 million km from the Sun, so it receives only a very small part of the Sun's total radiation.
  • Only one in two billion parts of solar radiation reaches the Earth.
2

2. Heat Budget of the Earth

  • The Earth's average temperature remains more or less constant because incoming solar radiation is balanced by outgoing terrestrial radiation.
  • If 100 units of solar radiation are received at the top of the atmosphere, 51 units reach the Earth and 49 units are reflected back.
  • Of the 49 reflected units, 6 units are scattered into space, 27 units are reflected from clouds, and 2 units from snow and ice.
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3. Factors Controlling Insolation

  • The inclination of the Sun's rays controls how much insolation is received at a place.
  • Vertical rays heat a smaller area, so insolation per unit area is greater than with inclined rays.
  • At 30° inclination, the Sun's rays provide nearly half the insolation compared with vertical rays.
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4. Heating and Cooling of the Atmosphere

  • Air is heated by radiation, conduction, convection, and advection.
  • The atmosphere is heated mainly from the ground up.
  • Short-wave solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface with little heating of the atmosphere.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Insolation and Temperature

Solar radiationInsolationEarth's heat budgetLatitudinal heat balanceFactors controlling insolationHeating of the atmosphereTemperatureHorizontal distribution of temperature

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Insolation and Temperature for ICSE Class 11 Geography?
Key topics in Insolation and Temperature include Solar Radiation and Insolation, Heat Budget of the Earth, Factors Controlling Insolation, Heating and Cooling of the Atmosphere. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 11 exams.
How should I revise Insolation and Temperature for Class 11 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 65 practice questions on Insolation 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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