Engineering What is difference between solar radiation and global radiation?

AI Thread Summary
Solar radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun, encompassing various forms such as visible light, radio waves, infrared, x-rays, and UV rays. In contrast, global radiation refers to the total amount of direct and diffuse solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. The discussion highlights that solar radiation does not penetrate the ground, while global radiation includes both direct solar radiation and indirect atmospheric radiation. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding the distinction between these two concepts, particularly in relation to their effects on the ground. The conversation suggests that reliable resources, like government weather sites, can provide clarity on these topics.
shivajikobardan
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Homework Statement
What is difference between solar radiation and global radiation?
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Solar radiation-:

it is em radiation emitted by son. it is short wave radiation. it comes in many forms.
1) visible light
2) radio waves
3) infrared
4) x rays
5) uv rays

Global radiation-:
it is sum of direct and diffuse radiation arriving at a ground.

What are the differences between these two?
 
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shivajikobardan said:
What are the differences between these two?
What do you think? (Hint: there is something important between the Sun and the ground.)
 
DrClaude said:
What do you think? (Hint: there is something important between the Sun and the ground.)
Hmm not sure
maybe solar radiation doesn't enter the ground?
 
shivajikobardan said:
Hmm not sure
maybe solar radiation doesn't enter the ground?
I'm sure that you can feel the Sun's rays when it is shining on you standing on the ground.
 
Look at the first picture in this article: https://www.weather.gov/jetstream/energy.
1651069294844.png

Solar radiation is the blue arrow labelled 100 at the top.

Global radiation consists of:
  • Direct (solar) radiation (the blue arrows labelled 47 (absorbed) at the bottom and 7 (reflected)) plus
  • Indirect (atmospheric) radiation (the red arrow labelled 98 at the bottom).
 
Last edited:
DrClaude said:
What do you think? (Hint: there is something important between the Sun and the ground.)
 
pbuk said:
Look at the first picture in this article: https://www.weather.gov/jetstream/energy.
View attachment 300650
Solar radiation is the blue arrow labelled 100 at the top.

Ground radiation consists of:
  • Direct (solar) radiation (the blue arrows labelled 47 (absorbed) at the bottom and 7 (reflected)) plus
  • Indirect (atmospheric) radiation (the red arrow labelled 98 at the bottom).
it is global radiation...it is not ground radiation...are they same?
 
shivajikobardan said:
it is global radiation...it is not ground radiation...are they same?
Yes sorry, that was a typo, I have edited it.

I am not sure what sources you are using to learn about this but I think the US government weather site I linked to is a good one.
 
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