Download 1-provides light energy for photosynthesis 2

The Sun’s Energy Effects on Earth
Reading Page Part 2
1. How does the energy from the Sun affect the Earth? Explain at least four ways the Earth is affected.
1-provides light energy for photosynthesis
2-provides heat energy to drive water cycle by causing evaporation
3-due to Earth’s tilt, Sun’s energy reaches us at more or less direct angles
causing seasons
4-uneven heating of Earth’s surface causes warm or cold ocean currents that
affect climate
2. Explain how solar energy provides the energy for photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll in the plant’s cells absorb light energy from Sun which causes water
in plants leaves/stems to break down into hydrogen & oxygen. Hydrogen combines
with carbon dioxide in plant to make sugars(food) for plant. Oxygen is released into
air.
3. Compare and contrast land and sea breezes.
Land Breeze
-occurs in evening
Both
-caused by warm air rising
& cool air sinking
-cool winds blows from
land toward ocean
-convection current
created by difference in
-water warmer/land cooler land versus water temps
Sea Breeze
-occurs in day
-cool winds from ocean
blows toward land
-water cooler/land warmer
4. Summarize how oceans affect climates on Earth.
Without oceans we would not have rainfall due to most of the water vapor in the
air results from the Sun’s evaporation through the water cycle.
Due to the fact that water takes longer to heat/cool than land, without oceans
Earth’s temperature would get very hot during the day and much colder at night.
The ocean waters keep the temperature from having such extreme differences.
Ocean currents also help regulate the temperature by moving warmer water from
the equator toward the poles, releasing heat energy back into the atmosphere.
5. Explain why some ocean currents are warm and why some are cold.
Currents originating near the equator will be warm water currents because the
Sun’s radiation is more direct near the equator-making the water warm.
Currents originating near the poles will be cold water currents because the area
around the poles receive much less direct rays of Sun –making the water colder.