Energy on Earth

TOPIC REVIEWPORTFOLIO BACKGROUND RESEARCH

Atmosphere  What is the atmosphere?

A: An envelope of gasses that surrounds earth and makes it livable.   What is the atmosphere made up of? What gases are in

the atmosphere?

A: The main gases that make up the atmosphere depend on the layer. The troposphere (where we are) is mostly made up of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), the remaining amount is trace gases. What are the layers of the atmosphere?

A: The earth’s atmosphere is broken up into 5 main layers that are separated by temperature. They are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. Focus Question: How is energy transferred in the

atmosphere?

Electromagnetic Spectrum

What is the electromagnetic spectrum? A: The range of wavelengths or frequencies of the electromagnetic radiation on earth.  Some are visible but most are not. What is a wavelength?

A: The distance from the peaks of two waves. What is the visual spectrum? A: The spectrum of light that we can see. The color depends on its wavelength and frequency. The colors are ROYGBIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet) How do we see color?

The color that we see reflects back to our eyes, all of the other colors are absorbed.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

What colors are there in white light?

A: Black and white are a bit different from other colors. White is a combination of all colors, so when we see white, the object is reflecting all the colors of light the same. Black is the opposite. When we see a black object that means almost all the colors of light are being absorbed. Focus Question: How does the color of light

affect its energy?

Low Frequency Long Wavelength

High Frequency Short Wavelength

Energy What is energy?

A: What makes things move or change. How are heat and temperature different?

A: Heat – When molecules absorb/take in energy, how much energy it has in it. Temperature – How fast the molecules are moving. The faster they move, the more temperature. What is an insulator?

A: The atoms are not easily freed and are stable, preventing or blocking the flow of electricity and energy. Stop the energy from moving easily. Examples: plastic, rubber, Styrofoam and porcelain. What is a conductor?

A: Conductors are made of materials that electricity or energy can flow through easily. Materials are the opposite of insulators. Examples: metals, water, people, glass and trees Focus Question: How do heat and temperature affect energy?

Heat vs Temperature

Energy Transfer How is heat transferred to earth from the Sun?

A: Heat is transferred to earth through electromagnetic radiation. What is insolation?

A: INcoming SOLar radiATION - sun’s energy comes in to earth as radiation.

What are the 3 main types of heat transfer?

A: Radiation, conduction and convection

Energy Transfer What is radiation?

Energy that travels as waves or rays through space between objects and materials. Radiation energy can be invisible. Examples: heater, Sun, lights   What is conduction?

Energy is transferred from one object to another. It moves from more energy to less energy. What is convection?

Movement of energy in a circular pattern (up and down). Heat makes air/water go up because it is less dense and cool makes things move down because it is less dense. Examples: heaters and water Focus Question: How does the flow of energy affect the

land and oceans on earth?

Heat Transfer

Convection in Air

Energy Balance What happens to incoming radiation?

A: Radiation from the Sun can be absorbed (taken in) or reflected (sent back out into space). What does absorption mean?

A: Taking in or soaking up the energy/heat What does reflection mean?

A: Going back out into space. The sending back by a surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it. What is energy balance?

A: The energy that comes in to earth should be the same that goes out, this is called energy balance. It helps the earth to not be too cold or too hot. Focus Question: How is climate influenced by changes

in Earth's energy balance?

Energy BalanceIncoming Radiation - comes in from the sunSolar Radiation – 99.978% Geothermal Energy – 0.013%Tidal Energy – 0.002%Outgoing Energy - Sent back to spaceReflected back to Space – (albedo effect) 30%

- 20% reflected from clouds - 6% reflected from the atmosphere- 4% reflected from the ground (including land, water and ice) 

Absorbed by Earth – 70%

- 51% absorbed by land and water- 19% absorbed by the atmosphere and clouds

99.978 + 0.013 + 0.002 = 100%

Greenhouse Effect What is a greenhouse?

A: A place that is made of glass that keeps heat inside; there are only windows. They are used to grow plants all year round.   What is the greenhouse effect?

A: The earth is like a giant greenhouse. The gases that surround earth are just like the glass on the greenhouse. These gases keep the earth warm by keeping the sun’s energy inside. This type of warming of earth is called the greenhouse effect. What are the greenhouse gases?

A: The main greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Where do greenhouse gases come from?

A: These human activities contribute to the increase of greenhouse gases: Burning of…

fossil fuels (petroleum, oil and coal)gasoline to drive cars and trucksoil, coal or wood to produce electricity for heating, cooling or other purposesforests to clear land

Ultraviolet (UV) Sun rays

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Sources of extra greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Sun’s Radiationcomes in as UV Sun’s Radiation

Goes out as infrared

Global Warming What is global warming?

A: Global warming means that the average temperature of earth is raising either naturally or through an increase in greenhouse gases.

What are the effects of global warming?

- More rain and floods in some places or droughts in others- More frequent hurricanes, tornadoes and other storms - Ice in glaciers are melting - Sea levels are rising- New coastlines on maps

How can we help reduce global warming?

- Go by bus- Ride together in cars- Walk, don’t drive- Protect plants and trees- Recycle, reduce and re-use items  

Climate Change What does climate change mean?

A: The overall average temperature on earth is increasing. This increase in global temperatures is having many different effects on earth and climate. Climate is the average weather of an area over a long period of time. Climate change on earth refers to changes in climate patterns, including temperature, precipitation, winds and other factors.