Vocab
What is the definition of Geosphere and Hydrosphere?
You get double points if you get both right
Geosphere - the solid, rocky part of Earth’s crust
Hydrosphere - all of the water on Earth in solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapor) phase
What happens to the temperature of equal volumes of soil and water when they are placed in direct sunlight for 30 minutes?
The soil’s temperature increases much faster and higher than the water's temperature.
What term describes the phenomenon where different surfaces on Earth absorb and hold solar energy at different rates?
Uneven heating.
Based on the experiment, which layer of air would you expect to be warmer: air over a sandy field or air over a lake?
Air over the sandy field
What are two controlled variables that must be kept equal to ensure a fair test between the soil and water?
The volume of the materials and the time spent in the sunlight
Define Radiation
Energy that travels through air and space as waves
Which Earth material—dry soil or water—heats up and cools down at a faster rate?
Dry soil
What happens to the temperatures of soil and water when you move them from direct sunlight into the shade?
Both materials begin to cool down.
What is the primary source of energy that causes Earth’s surface to heat up in this experiment?
Sunlight (or solar energy)
Which Earth sphere is represented by the sand or soil in this experiment?
The geosphere.
What is the movement of energy from one place to another
energy transfer
How does the heating rate of sand explain why beach sand feels hot on a sunny day while the ocean water feels cool?
Sand absorbs solar energy and changes temperature much faster than water.
When moved to the shade, which material releases its thermal energy and cools down faster?
The soil.
What is the independent variable (the variable you are testing/changing) when comparing soil and water heating rates?
The type of Earth material.
Which Earth sphere is represented by the water in this experiment?
The hydrosphere
Define uneven heating
the result of different amounts of energy being transferred to adjacent surfaces
What type of data do you need to collect as evidence to support the claim that soil heats up faster than water?
Temperature measurements recorded at regular time intervals.
What rule can you make about the relationship between how fast a material heats up and how fast it cools down?
Materials that heat up quickly also cool down quickly.
What is the dependent variable (the outcome you measure) in this experiment?
The temperature change of the materials.
What does this experiment tell us about the effect of sunlight on the geosphere versus the hydrosphere?
Sunlight heats the geosphere much faster than it heats the hydrosphere.
What is the definition of solar energy and what is it for solar energy exposure?
Double points for both
solar energy - heat and light from sunshine
solar energy exposure - the amount of energy from the Sun that falls on an object; dependent upon the intensity (brightness) of the sunlight, and the length of time the sunlight falls on the object
What property of soil, water, and air causes them to change temperature differently when exposed to the same energy?
Their unique thermal properties (or specific heat capacities).
Why does the air temperature directly above the land differ from the air temperature directly above the water on a sunny day?
The air is warmed by the surface below it, and the land transfers heat to the air faster than the water does.
Would a much larger amount of soil still heat up and cool down faster than a much smaller amount of water?
Not necessarily; changing the mass alters the energy balance, which requires further investigation. So having more soil than water can cause the water to heat up faster since it is a smaller amount.
If dry soil and water receive the exact same amount of solar energy exposure, what explains the difference in their final temperatures?
Their differing material compositions and thermal properties.