Vocabulary
The percentage of incoming solar radiation that a surface reflects back into space
Albedo
The primary external energy source that drives Earth’s surface weather, climate, and ocean currents.
Sun
The latitude region on Earth that receives the most direct, intense sunlight year-round.
Equator
Hottest layer of the earth
inner core
The four main spheres of the Earth system.
Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere (or Lithosphere), and Biosphere
Warm ocean water rising near the equator while cold, dense water sinks near the poles to form a continuous circular loop.
Convection
Among fresh snow, ocean water, and mountain range, the surface that has the highest albedo or reflects the most solar energy.
fresh snow (color white reflects the most light out of all colors)
The tilt of Earth’s axis in degrees that causes uneven solar heating across latitudes and produces seasonal shifts.
23.5 degrees
The transfer of thermal energy through direct physical contact between solid rocks in Earth's lithosphere.
Conduction
A volcanic eruption blasts ash into the sky, temporarily cooling global temperatures. Name the two main spheres interacting in this event.
Geosphere and Atmosphere
Sunlight traveling through the vacuum of outer space without needing any liquid or solid medium to heat Earth's surface.
Radiation
This internal energy source—fueled by radioactive decay and leftover heat from Earth's formation—supplies a small but steady flow of thermal energy from deep within the planet.
Earth's core
Unlike Earth's matter, which is recycled in a closed system, energy like solar radiation flows continuously through Earth as this type of system.
Open system
The type of thermal transfer occurring in Earth's mantle where warm, molten rock rises and cool, dense rock sinks.
Mantle Convection
Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters, absorbing heat energy and dumping heavy rain that causes landslides on coastal soil. Identify three spheres interacting in this process.
Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Geosphere
Heat moving directly from Earth's hot inner core into the solid lower mantle through physical touching and molecular collisions.
Conduction
Explain why dark asphalt and concrete buildings in cities create an "Urban Heat Island" effect.
low albedo surfaces absorbing solar radiation instead of reflecting it, turning it into thermal heat
The main reason sunlight hitting the North and South Poles is less intense than sunlight hitting the Equator
Earth’s spherical shape and tilt cause sunbeams to hit the poles at a steep angle, spreading energy over a larger surface area
Heat escaping from Earth's core drives mantle convection, ultimately triggering many energetic surface events on earth's surface. Name one event.
Polar ice melting reduces surface albedo, causing dark ocean waters to absorb more heat, which in turn melts more ice. Name the primary spheres involved in this feedback loop.
Cryosphere (or Hydrosphere) and Atmosphere
Solar rays travel through space to warm dark ground, the hot ground warms the air directly touching it, and that warm air rises to create wind currents. Identify the three heat transfer processes occurring in this scenario in order.
Radiation (sunlight traveling to ground), Conduction (ground heating touching air), and Convection (warm air rising to create wind)
Describe how the melting of polar sea ice acts as a trigger, or a positive feedback loop, for Earth’s global climate system.
rising temperatures melt bright ice (high albedo), exposing dark ocean water (low albedo), which absorbs more heat and accelerates warming
Warm ocean currents generally travel in this direction (toward where?), while cold ocean currents travel in this direction (toward where?)
warm currents move away from the Equator toward the Poles, and cold currents move from the Poles back toward the Equator
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from air and water from soil to perform photosynthesis, releasing oxygen and providing food for food webs. Identify all spheres involved in this interaction
Biosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Geosphere