Energy Sources
What is the main source of energy for Earth?
What is the Sun?
What is the term for the process of energy moving through the atmosphere and oceans?
What is energy transfer?
What gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?
What are carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor?
What is meant by “energy balance” in Earth’s energy budget?
It refers to the balance between incoming solar energy and outgoing energy from Earth.
What role do clouds play in Earth's energy budget?
Clouds can reflect sunlight and trap heat, affecting temperature and energy balance.
Name two forms of energy that come to Earth from the Sun.
Any two types of waves from the Electromagnetic Spectrum.
Describe how energy moves from the equator to the poles.
Energy moves through ocean currents and atmospheric circulation.
How does the greenhouse effect benefit life on Earth?
It keeps Earth's temperature warm enough to support life.
What happens if Earth's energy budget is not balanced?
It can lead to climate change and global warming.
How does air pollution affect the energy budget?
Air pollution can create more greenhouse gases, trapping heat in the atmosphere.
What percentage of the Sun's energy is actually absorbed by the Earth?
What happens to some of the solar energy that reaches Earth’s surface?
Some is absorbed, some is reflected, and some is used for processes like photosynthesis.
What is the consequence of excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
What is global warming?
Name one factor that can disrupt Earth's energy balance.
What is an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations?
What is the effect of aerosols on solar radiation?
Aerosols can reflect sunlight away from the Earth, cooling the surface.
Explain how clouds affect the Earth's energy budget.
Clouds can reflect sunlight back into space and trap heat, impacting energy balance.
How do ocean currents influence climate?
Ocean currents distribute heat around the planet, affecting weather patterns.
How do human activities contribute to the greenhouse effect?
Activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation increase greenhouse gas levels.
How does deforestation affect the energy balance?
Deforestation reduces the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed, leading to more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
How does the Earth's tilt affect energy distribution?
The tilt causes seasonal changes in sunlight distribution, affecting climate.
How does solar energy affect the temperature of Earth’s surface?
Solar energy heats the Earth unevenly, causing temperature variations.
What is the term for the process by which energy leaves Earth’s atmosphere?
What is radiation?
Explain the difference between the natural greenhouse effect and enhanced greenhouse effect.
The natural greenhouse effect is essential for life; the enhanced effect is caused by human activities leading to more heat being trapped.
Describe how volcanic eruptions can impact the Earth's energy budget.
Volcanic eruptions can release ash and gases that block sunlight and influence climate patterns temporarily.
Explain how climate change can alter weather patterns.
Climate change can lead to more extreme weather events and shifts in precipitation patterns.