Energy of tides Gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun Provides substantial energy in the littoral zone - narrow band along the shore line, between low and high tide levels. However, on the global scale its effect on temperatures in the life layer is negligible. As becomes clear from this table, solar radiation is by far the most important energy source for controlling temperature conditions on the surface and near it. Therefore, in this discussion we will ignore all other sources and concentrate entirely on solar radiation. Before proceeding with our discussion of insolation, let's review concepts pertaining to radiation as a form of energy in general.
All objects emit some energy in the form of radiation.
This energy could be thought of as a wave. Objects typically emit waves of many kinds at the same time. Wavelength and frequency Fig. All electromagnetic radiation travels at the same speed. Electromagnetic spectrum Fig.