The 2026-27 NCERT keeps Class 11 Geography Chapter 8 Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature in full for the CBSE course. These class 11 geography handwritten notes chapter 8 Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature follow the 2026-27 NCERT and cover insolation and the angle of the sun's rays, factors that vary the insolation received, heating of the.

  • CBSE Class 11 Weightage: a scoring chapter in the Geography paper, asked in short and long answers.
  • What the notes cover: insolation and the angle of the sun's rays, factors that vary the insolation received, heating of the air: conduction, convection, advection, terrestrial radiation and how the air is warmed.
  • Best for: quick revision before Class 11 exams and a base for CUET later.

You can read the complete class 11 geography handwritten notes for Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature, with key terms, boxed definitions, and quick revision points, in the PDF below.

These handwritten notes are written by subject teachers, mapped to the 2026-27 NCERT, and checked against the last five years of CBSE Class 11 Geography papers.

Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Topic-wise Weightage for CBSE Class 11 Geography

Some parts of this chapter are asked more often than others. The table below shows which sub-topics to revise first, based on recent CBSE Class 11 question trends.

Sub-topicWeightageCBSE Frequency
Heat budget of the earthHighAlmost every year
Heating of the atmosphere (three processes)High3 of the last 5 years
Factors controlling temperatureMedium3 of the last 5 years
Insolation and angle of incidenceMedium2 of the last 5 years
Inversion of temperatureLow2 of the last 5 years

What the Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Handwritten Notes Cover

This chapter follows the heat of the earth from the sun and back to space. It explains insolation, how the air is heated, and the heat budget that keeps the earth balanced. It then looks at how temperature is spread across the globe.

  • Insolation and the angle of the sun's rays
  • Factors that vary the insolation received
  • Heating of the air: conduction, convection, advection
  • Terrestrial radiation and how the air is warmed
  • The heat budget of the earth
  • Factors controlling temperature distribution
  • Inversion of temperature and air drainage
Concept: The earth receives insolation from the sun and returns an equal amount to space, keeping its temperature in a steady heat balance.

Key Terms and Ideas in Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature

These are the terms and ideas the exam asks about most. Learn each one so you can define it and use it in your answers.

Term / IdeaWhat it means
InsolationThe incoming short-wave solar radiation received by earth
AphelionEarth farthest from the sun, on 4 July
PerihelionEarth nearest to the sun, on 3 January
AlbedoShare of incoming radiation reflected back to space
AdvectionTransfer of heat by horizontal movement of air
Terrestrial radiationLong-wave heat the earth radiates back to the air
Normal lapse rateTemperature fall of 6.5 C per 1000 m of height
InversionReversal where the upper air is warmer than the lower
Remember: Heat IN (65 units absorbed) equals heat OUT (17 + 48 = 65 units), so the earth stays balanced.
Watch Out: The atmosphere is heated mainly by long-wave terrestrial radiation from the earth, not directly by the sun.

How Collegedunia's Handwritten Notes Help You Revise Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature

These notes are made for the night before the exam. They keep the facts short and easy to scan. Collegedunia maps every point to the 2026-27 NCERT.

  • Clear handwriting: each topic is written in neat, easy-to-read handwriting.
  • Boxed key terms: the main terms and definitions are boxed by hand for fast recall.
  • Diagrams and tables: simple hand-drawn tables and charts make ideas clear.
  • Colour-coded headings: new sub-topics stand out, so you find any section in seconds.

Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Self-Assessment Quiz

Try these quick questions after you read the notes. Tap each question to check your answer. They cover the points CBSE asks most often.

The sun is directly overhead at noon on 21 June at?

(a) The equator (b) 23.5 S (c) 23.5 N (d) 66.5 N

Answer: (c) 23.5 N - the Tropic of Cancer, at the summer solstice

The atmosphere is mainly heated by?

(a) Short wave solar radiation (b) Reflected solar radiation (c) Long wave terrestrial radiation (d) Scattered radiation

Answer: (c) Long wave terrestrial radiation - the earth warms the air from below

The incoming solar radiation is called?

(a) Albedo (b) Insolation (c) Isotherm (d) Advection

Answer: (b) Insolation - short for incoming solar radiation

Horizontal transfer of heat by moving air is?

(a) Conduction (b) Convection (c) Advection (d) Radiation

Answer: (c) Advection - the loo wind of north India is an example

The reflected share of incoming radiation is the?

(a) Insolation (b) Albedo (c) Isotherm (d) Lapse rate

Answer: (b) Albedo - about 35 units are reflected back to space

How to Use These Handwritten Notes for Class 11 Geography Revision

Use these class 11 geography handwritten notes in two passes. Read them slowly once for the full chapter. Then, near the exam, read only the boxes and key terms for a fast recall.

  • Read the notes once with the NCERT chapter open beside you.
  • Say each key term and idea in your own words.
  • Practise one long-answer question from a past paper.
  • On the last day, revise only the key terms and the boxes.

Class 11 Geography Handwritten Notes for All Chapters

The table below links the class 11 geography handwritten notes for every chapter. Use it to jump to any other chapter's notes.

Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Class 11 Geography Handwritten Notes FAQs

Ques. Where can I download Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Class 11 Geography Handwritten Notes PDF?

Ans. You can download the Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Class 11 Geography Handwritten Notes PDF directly from this page. Both the Normal and HD versions are free.

Ques. Are these handwritten notes aligned with the 2026-27 NCERT?

Ans. Yes. These notes follow the current 2026-27 syllabus for Class 11 Geography. These notes cover insolation, the heating and cooling of the atmosphere, the heat budget, the factors controlling temperature, and inversion of temperature.

Ques. How many pages is the Class 11 Geography Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Handwritten Notes PDF?

Ans. The notes run about 22 pages. They cover the full chapter with key terms, hand-drawn boxes, and a short self-assessment quiz.

Ques. What is the main idea of the 11th standard Geography chapter Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature?

Ans. The earth receives incoming solar radiation, called insolation, and returns an equal amount to space as terrestrial radiation. This balance, the heat budget, keeps the earth from warming up or cooling down over time.

Ques. Are these Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature notes enough for the CBSE Class 11 exam?

Ans. Yes, for revision. The Collegedunia handwritten notes cover every key point and exam term. Read them with the NCERT chapter and practise past questions.