Front

What is Earth's energy budget?

Back

Earth's energy budget refers to the balance between the energy Earth receives from the sun and the energy it radiates back into space. This balance is crucial for maintaining the planet's climate and temperature.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Front

What is albedo?

Back

Albedo is the measure of how much sunlight is reflected by a surface. It is expressed as a percentage; for example, ice has a high albedo, reflecting most sunlight, while dark surfaces have a low albedo.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of heat through a material without the movement of the material itself. It occurs when two objects at different temperatures come into direct contact.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). It occurs when warmer, less dense areas of a fluid rise and cooler, denser areas sink.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

Front

What is radiation in the context of energy transfer?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves. It does not require a medium and can occur in a vacuum, such as the heat from the sun reaching Earth.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Front

What percentage of incoming solar energy is absorbed by Earth's surface?

Back

51% of incoming solar energy is absorbed by Earth's surface.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Front

What is a positive feedback loop?

Back

A positive feedback loop is a process where an initial change causes further changes that amplify the original effect. For example, melting ice reduces albedo, leading to more heat absorption and further melting.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

Front

What is a negative feedback loop?

Back

A negative feedback loop is a process that counteracts changes, promoting stability. For example, increased cloud cover can reflect more sunlight, cooling the Earth's surface.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-3

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

Front

What is visible light?

Back

Visible light is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye. It is the light that comes from the sun and is responsible for the warmth we feel.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Front

What is the greenhouse effect?

Back

The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space. This effect is essential for maintaining a habitable climate.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5