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WHY IS THE SUN
IMPORTANT
EEN.1.1.4 EXPLAIN HOW INCOMING SOLAR
ENERGY MAKES LIFE POSSIBLE ON EARTH.
WHAT CAUSES THE SEASONS?
• The tilt of the Earth’s
axis.
• The Earth rotates on
its axis, but it always
points in the same
direction.
Fall
Winter
Summer
Winter
Summer
Spring
Bar Magnet
THE EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD
• The field lines
defining the
structure of the
magnetic field are
similar to those of a
simple bar magnet.
Earth
ORIGIN OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD
• Produced by the motion of electrical charges.
• Not entirely understood.
• Scientist believe it is because of the convective effects
of the rotation of the liquid metallic outer core of iron
and nickel around the solid iron core of the Earth.
EARTH’S MAGNETOSPHERE
• Solar Wind: Stream of
ionized gases that blows
outward from the Sun.
• The Earth’s magnetic field
shields it from much of the
solar wind.
• Magnetic field protects the
Earth with large numbers of
high energy (fast-moving)
charged particles (protons &
electrons).
DIFFERENTIAL HEATING OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE
• The Earth is unevenly
heated on it’s surface.
• This occurs because of the
unequal amount of
incoming solar radiation
or “insolation”
MAP OF AVERAGE SOLAR RADIATION
http://user.gs.rmit.edu.au/caa/global/graphics/solar.jpg
Where is the highest
amount of the solar
radiation? equator
Where is the lowest
amount of solar
radiation? North and
south pole
How does this relate
to climate around the
world? Highest
amount of sunlightwarmest weather
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Plants absorb
sunlight and convert
it into glucose (food)
which is chemical
energy.
• Chemical energy
(food) gives us
energy.