Download Section 3: Understanding Heat and Temperature helps explain

 Remember…. Thermal energy is the TOTAL KINETIC ENERGY of
the particles in a substance.
 The sun is Earth’s natural sources of thermal energy. “Sol” (latin)
means Sun.
 Much of the energy resides deep within the Earth
 It is called geothermal energy
 Geo= Earth
 Thermal= Heat
 All fires consume some type of fuel
 Fire converts the chemical energy inside of fuel into thermal
energy, light energy, and often sound energy.
 The breakdown of dead plants and animals releases thermal energy.
 The thermal energy is
produced from nuclear
reactions in the sun.
 Every 40 minutes the level
of energy that comes to the
Earth is equivalent to the
energy humans use over a
period of 1 year.
Solar Heating can be passive or active.
A. Passive: the system is heated directly by the suns rays
B.
Active: the system relies on a mechanical device
 The building or houses is designed to encourage heat transfer from the suns
radiation in infrared waves to the inside of the building.
Basic Approach= reduce heat loss and increase heat gain!
 Active solar heating systems usually have three
components:
1. A Collector
2. A Heat storage unit
3. A Heat distribution unit
 Active solar heating systems usually have three
components:
1. A Collector: Water is often used as a collector.
Water is running through copper tubing The
copper tubing heats up from the Sun  water heats
up Heated water is pumped to the heat storage
and distribution units.
 In a prairie climate, like we have in Alberta, a
combination of passive and active solar
systems can meet up to 75% of a family’s
heating needs.
 In warmer climates a greater percentage is
possible.
 Landscaping can also add to the effectiveness
of solar design. (ex. Trees can block cold
winter winds and help provide cool shade in
the summer).
 A back up heating system is usually needed
for both active and passive solar heating
systems The back up is used when sunlight
is not available or when not enough heat is
collected during the day to keep the house
warm at night.
 In addition to providing heat, solar energy can be converted into
electricity.
 Solar cells are arranged in panels which are connected to form a
solar array.
 A series of these solar arrays are then placed to capture the sun’s
energy and store it in a low voltage batteries.
https://www.youtube.c
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In your notes, make a
pros and cons list from
the video, your notes,
and prior knowledge.