NASA: Why does the Sun Matter for Earth’s Energy Budget?

The video explains Earth's energy budget, focusing on how solar energy is absorbed and reflected by oceans, land, and atmosphere. It highlights the role of water in this balance, through evaporation and cloud formation, and discusses similar energy cycles in other regions like polar ice caps. The balance of incoming and outgoing energy is crucial for sustaining life, and NASA's missions help monitor these dynamics to understand potential changes.

What is the primary source of Earth's energy?

• Geothermal Heat

• The Moon

• The Sun

• Volcanic Activity

How do clouds affect Earth's temperature?

• They absorb sunlight, warming the planet.

• They have no effect on Earth's temperature.

• They trap heat, increasing global temperatures.

• They reflect sunlight, cooling the planet.

What happens when clouds dissipate?

• Sunlight is blocked, cooling the water below.

• Sunlight warms the water below, continuing the cycle.

• The water below freezes.

• The water below evaporates completely.

What role do polar ice caps play in Earth's energy budget?

• They reflect sunlight, helping to cool the planet.

• They absorb sunlight, warming the planet.

• They trap heat, increasing global temperatures.

• They have no effect on Earth's energy budget.

Why does NASA monitor Earth's energy balance?

• To track the movement of tectonic plates.

• To measure the distance between Earth and the Sun.

• To understand the fundamental conditions for sustaining life.

• To predict weather patterns.