6.4ab Earth's Energy Budget

Front

What are fossil fuels?

Back

Fossil fuels are natural substances formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been buried and transformed by heat and pressure over millions of years.

Front

How are fossil fuels traced back to the sun?

Back

Fossil fuels are the remains of ancient plants and animals that once needed the sun to survive.

Front

What is the pathway to fossil fuels?

Back

The pathway is: sun...plants...fossil fuels.

Front

What is the greenhouse effect?

Back

The greenhouse effect is the process by which gases in the atmosphere absorb and give off infrared radiation, helping to keep the Earth warm.

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.

Front

What is ultraviolet light?

Back

Ultraviolet light is higher-energy radiation from the sun that can harm life.

Front

What role does the sun play in Earth's energy budget?

Back

The sun provides the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system, driving processes like photosynthesis and influencing weather patterns.

Front

What is photosynthesis?

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Front

What is the importance of the sun's energy for plants?

Back

The sun's energy is essential for plants to perform photosynthesis, which is how they produce food and oxygen.

Front

What happens to solar energy that is not absorbed by the Earth?

Back

Solar energy that is not absorbed is reflected back into space or absorbed by the atmosphere.