Lesson 1- Solar Energy on Earth

Front

What is conduction?

Back

The transfer of thermal energy between materials by the collisions of particles. (Transfer of energy through direct contact)

Front

What is albedo?

Back

Albedo is the measure of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed. A snow-covered mountain has a higher albedo than a dark-colored cornfield.

Front

Why is Earth warmer at the equator?

Back

Earth's spherical shape causes the equator to receive direct sunlight all year, resulting in more sunlight per unit of surface area.

Front

What is specific heat?

Back

Specific heat is the amount of thermal energy required to increase the temperature of 1 kg of material by 1 degree Celsius.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

True or False: Water heats up more slowly than sand because it has a higher specific heat.

Back

True

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

How can students model how the Sun heats the Earth in cold climates?

Back

They can tilt the angle of the graph paper to represent how sunlight hits the Earth at different angles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of particles in a substance, which determines its temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Front

What is the greenhouse effect?

Back

The greenhouse effect is the warming of Earth’s surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Front

What role does the Sun play in the water cycle?

Back

The Sun provides the energy needed for evaporation, which is a key process in the water cycle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is the difference between conduction and convection?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact, while convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3