Calculate the sunrise and sunset local horizon points, Physics

Assignment Help:

This problem examines the seasonal solar radiation budget at three geographical locations: the Equator, 40º North, and 80º North.

2423_Calculate the sunrise and sunset local horizon points.png

NOTES: At a given geographical location, N, S, E, and W are the north, south, east and west points of the local horizon (also called "cardinal points" different from the same term applied to the precession of the equinoxes discussed in this course), O=observer on Earth, NP=celestial north pole, Z=zenith, X=location of sun at some instant, z=distance XZ to zenith, A=altitude of the sun (π/2-z), δ=declination of sun DX, which currently varies between ± 23.5º throughout the year, α=azimuth of sun; H=hour angle of sun measured from the meridian. During the day, the sun's rays strike the Earth's surface through a series of positive-valued angles A = 0o to a maximum Amax at meridian transit, and back to 0o. The vertical component, sinA is the "effective heating force." This is also expressed as zenith distance z = 90o-A.  From spherical geometry: cosz = sinθsinδ + cosθcosδcosH. To calculate the total time that the sun is in the sky, set z = 90o (sunrise at the East horizon) to get: cosH = -tanθtanδ. Solve for H and divide by 15 o per hour (the Earth rotates 15 o per hour) to convert to time for the morning half of the day.  Azimuth angles α of the rising and setting Sun are calculated from the formula: cosα = sinδ/cosθ. 

For the summer and winter solstices, and spring (or fall) equinox of each location:

 (A) Calculate the sunrise and sunset local horizon points (+α) in degrees from due North (note: west = negative, east=positive).

 (B) Calculate the length of the day in hours, minutes, seconds.

 (C) Using the solar constant So=1370 W/m2 , calculate the 'effective heating force' that reaches the top of the atmosphere per hour; plot these amounts on a graph of W/m2  vs. hour of the day. What is the summer/winter ratio of total daily insolation at each location? How does the total daily insolation at summer solstice compare among the three locations?


Related Discussions:- Calculate the sunrise and sunset local horizon points

Gradient, how to find the gradient of factors with x and y

how to find the gradient of factors with x and y

First law of thermodynamics for a closed system, Illustrate the first law o...

Illustrate the first law of thermodynamics for a closed system undergoing cyclic process.

Electrostatics, What is quantisation of electric charge?

What is quantisation of electric charge?

State the faraday laws of electromagnetic induction, a.  State the Faraday'...

a.  State the Faraday's laws of electromagnetic induction. b.  A conducting circular loop is placed in an uniform magnetic field B=0.020 T with its plane perpendicular to the fi

What are the merits of typical ultrasonic flaw detector, What are the merit...

What are the merits of typical ultrasonic flaw detector? Merits of typical ultrasonic flaw detector: a. Particularly one side of the specimen is needed for the study. b.

What do you mean by a zener diode, Illustrate the operation of NOT gate an...

Illustrate the operation of NOT gate and also provide its truth table. What do you mean by a Zener diode? Illustrate how it is used as voltage regulator.

Heat, the water flowing over the Niagara Falls drops a distance of 50 m. as...

the water flowing over the Niagara Falls drops a distance of 50 m. assuming that all the gravitational energy is converted to thermal energy, by what temperature does the water ris

How much kinetic energy is lost - friction, A dartboard with a mass of 2.20...

A dartboard with a mass of 2.20 kg is suspended from the ceiling such that it is initially at rest. A 0.030-kg dart is thrown at the dartboard with a velocity of 1.3 m/s. A

What is free potential, Potential free contacts (also known as "dry contact...

Potential free contacts (also known as "dry contacts") are simply contacts which are physically operated with the main device, but not electrically connected to it. For example a m

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd