Convection and the Sun's Energy

An illustration of how a convection current creates a wind, called a sea breeze, is provided. Which of the following best explains what creates this convection current?

• Salt in the ocean makes it more dense than the land, so its gravity pulls more on the air above it.

• During the day, the Sun’s energy heats up the land faster, which makes the air above it warmer.

• The rotation of Earth makes the air above it rotate, but not the same over land and water.

• During the day, Earth’s gravity creates a high pressure area over both the land and water.

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What is the source of the thermal energy that heats our planet’s atmosphere?

• Earth's core

• Green plants

• The Sun

• Fossil Fuels

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The Sun warms the atmosphere and drives convection currents because -

• warm air is less dense, so it rises.

• the warmed air cools and makes rain.

• the cooler land pushes away warm air.

• warm air, in contact with cool air, rotates.

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What is one effect of the uneven heating of Earth caused by the Sun?

• Rotation of Earth

• Generation of wind

• Oceans losing salt

• Plants failing to grow

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What form of energy is released by the reactions in the Sun?

• Kinetic energy

• Electromagnetic radiation

• Chemical energy

• Thermal energy

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Which of the following changes would remove the source of energy that generates the convection which makes wind here on Earth?

• Growing more vegetation in barren areas.

• Removing all the salt from sea water.

• Blocking all solar radiation.

• Reversing the rotation of Earth.

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Michael and Isabella are working together on an assignment. They must search some illustrations to find an example of heat transfer by convection. Which illustration best represents convection?

• An illustration of heat being transferred by wind

• An illustration of heat being transferred by objects in contact

• An illustration of heat being transferred between rocks

• An illustration of the Sun’s heat moving through empty space

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The illustrations show the usual wind pattern at the shore during the day and night.What is the most important factor that creates these wind patterns?

• Most people visit the shore during the day and are not there at night.

• The air above the land heats up and cools off more quickly than the air over the water.

• The seawater is capable of having salt dissolved in it, but the land cannot.

• The shape of the land is constantly being changed by the motion of the seawater.

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What is the primary method of heat transfer from the Sun to the Earth?

• Conduction

• Convection

• Radiation

• Reflection

Which process is responsible for the movement of air masses in the atmosphere?

• Conduction

• Convection

• Radiation

• Reflection

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