The Sun's Energy - Earth's Heat Balance

The video explains how sunlight interacts with Earth's atmosphere and surface. Some sunlight is reflected back into space by clouds, ice, and snow, while the rest is absorbed by Earth, causing it to warm. This warmth is radiated back towards space, but greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap much of this heat, maintaining a temperature suitable for life. This natural greenhouse effect is crucial for sustaining life on Earth, as it prevents the planet from freezing.

What happens to sunlight when it hits bright spots like ice or snow?

• It causes the ice to melt immediately.

• It is converted into wind energy.

• It is reflected back into space.

• It is absorbed by the Earth.

How does the Earth respond after absorbing solar energy?

• It reflects all energy back into space.

• It stops absorbing any more energy.

• It cools down rapidly.

• It warms up and radiates heat back towards space.

What role do greenhouse gases play in the Earth's atmosphere?

• They cause the Earth to cool down.

• They absorb and retain heat, keeping the climate system warm.

• They have no effect on the Earth's temperature.

• They reflect sunlight back into space.

Why is the natural greenhouse effect crucial for life on Earth?

• It has no impact on life on Earth.

• It causes extreme weather conditions.

• It prevents the Earth from freezing, allowing life to exist.

• It makes the Earth too hot to live on.

What would happen to Earth without the greenhouse effect?

• The Earth would become too hot.

• The Earth would be frozen and uninhabitable.

• The Earth would have no atmosphere.

• The Earth would have constant daylight.