Download How Does Earth Use the Sun`s Energy?

All that energy!
Where does it go?
How Does Earth Use the Sun’s Energy?
How Can We Use this Energy?
All That Energy!
Where Does It Go?
• According to the Law of Conservation of
Energy, energy is neither lost nor created.
It can, however, be transformed to
another form.
• All of the energy from the sun is either
used, stored or reflected back into space.
• Most of the sun’s energy is transformed
on earth into potential energy (stored for
later use) in various forms:
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Fossil fuels
Biomass
Geothermal energy
Hydropower
Energy from the Sun
• Energy from the sun comes in two
forms:
• Heat energy
• Light energy
How is Heat Energy Used?
• The uneven heating of land and
water result in winds and waves
• We can convert this heat energy into
electricity!
• Windfarms
• Tidefarms
How Is Heat Energy Used?
• The atmosphere traps some of this
heat and warms our planet
• Greenhouse Effect
• How can we convert this heat?
• Solar Panels!
How Is Light Energy Used?
• Light energy is necessary for
photosynthesis
•We already use this!
•Remember?
How Is Light Energy Used?
• From photosynthesis we receive
both food for our bodies and fuel for
our homes.
• Food and fuel are actually stored
light energy from the sun – we use it
when we need it!
How Is Light Energy Used?
• Other ways we use this light energy
•Photovoltaic cells – aka solar panels
•We use them to heat our houses and even
power our calculators!
All That Energy!
Where Does It Go?
• Some of the sun’s energy is renewable
– we can use it over and over.
• Some of the sun’s energy is nonrenewable – once we use it, there is no
more.
Our Turn
• How can we harness some of this
energy?
• One example:
– a solar cooker