Final answer:
The balance between the Sun's radiation received during the day and the Earth's infrared radiation emission, particularly at night, along with factors like emissivity and the greenhouse effect, determines the timing of daily maximum and minimum temperatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The receipt of solar radiation and the emission of infrared (IR) radiation from the Earth are crucial components in understanding the timing of maximum and minimum daily temperatures. During the day, the Earth receives energy from the Sun. This energy is not evenly distributed due to the angle at which solar radiation hits the Earth's surface and due to the reflection by clouds and surfaces.
The energy is absorbed and then re-radiated back into space primarily in the form of infrared radiation. The Earth's emissivity, which is on average about 0.65, plays a significant role in this energy transfer. However, this calculation can be complex due to daily variations in cloud coverage, which impact radiation reflection and absorption.
Negative feedback between temperature increases, evaporation, and cloud formation reflects more radiation back into space, leading to temperature reductions. At night, the Earth's surface cools as it continues to emit IR radiation without the additional solar input.
The recorded daily temperatures usually lag behind the peak solar radiation times due to the time it takes for the Earth to radiate away the accumulated heat. The greenhouse effect further impacts this energy balance, with gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor (H₂O) trapping some of this infrared radiation, effectively insulating the Earth and leading to higher surface temperatures than if these gases were not present.