Question

Which of the following combinations of NET R terms would be associated with a hot, dry climate? (+ SW = insolation; - SW = albedo; LE = latent heat of evaporation)

a) + SW > - SW > LE
b) + SW < - SW > LE
c) + SW > - SW < LE
d) + SW < - SW < LE

Answer 1

The correct set of NET R terms associated with a hot, dry climate is + SW > - SW < LE, indicating high solar radiation, low albedo, and low latent heat evaporation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking which set of NET R terms is associated with a hot, dry climate. The terms are related to Earth's radiation balance, where + SW represents incoming solar radiation (insolation), - SW represents the reflection of solar radiation (albedo), and LE represents the latent heat from evaporation.

In a hot, dry climate, we would expect high incoming solar radiation, low reflection of that radiation, and low latent heat from evaporation since there would not be much moisture available to evaporate. Therefore, the correct answer would be + SW > - SW < LE.

This means that the insolation is high, the albedo is low (not much solar radiation is being reflected into space due to the lack of clouds or reflective surfaces like ice and snow), and the latent heat from evaporation is low because of the scarcity of water to evaporate in a hot, dry climate.