Solar Energy is Absorbed and Reflected by Earth’s Surface and Atmosphere

Draw a diagram and briefly describe why/how a Draw a diagram and briefly describe why/how the
greenhouse is warm inside when it is cold outside. atmosphere keeps Earth warm as a result of the
greenhouse effect.

Explanation:
Explanation:

Vocabulary:
1. Greenhouse gases:
2. Greenhouse effect:
Questions:
1. What role do greenhouse gases have in the greenhouse effect? What are two greenhouse gases?

2.

Atmosphere
How would an increase in the amount of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect
Earth’s other spheres?

Geosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere

 Earth’s Surface is Heated Unevenly, Global Winds Help Redistribute the Energy
There are three ways that Thermal Energy can be transferred around Earth. In the spaces below,
provide an explanation of how each method works and give an example.

How does it work? Give an Example

Radiation

Conduction

Convection

Questions:
1. Why is Earth’s surface heated unevenly by the Sun?

2. What is wind?

3. If there was not wind, the equator would be much warmer and the poles would be much colder
than they are. Global wind systems redistribute thermal energy in the following ways:
The trade winds move from ________ to ________ and occur between the __________ and _____0N
and _____0S latitudes. Air near the equator __________.
The westerlies move from ________ to ________ and occur between _____0N and _____0N and
between _____0S and _____0S latitudes.
The polar easterlies move from ________ to ________ and occur between _____0N and _____0N and
between _____0S and _____0S latitudes. Air at the poles __________.
4. Examine the images below. Which one is more likely to represent the position of Earth during
winter months and during summer months in the Northern hemisphere?

____________________ ____________________
 Ocean Currents Redistribute Thermal Energy Around Earth
Surface ocean currents are mostly affected by wind over large ocean basins. These currents move warm
equatorial water from the equator to the poles and colder polar waters toward the equator.

Deep ocean currents are mostly due to differences of temperature and salt content of the water. Colder
saltier water sinks to the bottom of the oceans near the poles and moves all the way around the entire
planet in a system known as the great ocean conveyor. This current carries thermal energy and nutrients
like nitrogen and phosphorus.

Question:
1. In your own words, describe how surface ocean currents redistribute thermal energy from the
equator to the poles.

2. In your own words, describe how deep ocean currents redistribute thermal energy around the
planet.
Solar Energy Enters the Biosphere by Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Questions:

1. What is the source of energy for almost all living creatures on Earth? ____________________
2. Which organisms are able to capture this energy to make food? ________________________
3. What is the name of the process these organisms do to create food? ____________________
4. This process transforms _______________ energy into _______________ energy.
5. What is the name of the energy rich “food” made in the process? _______________________
6. What are the reactants required to store the energy and make the food? _________________
and _______________.
7. What are the products of the process? ____________________ and ____________________
8. In the space below, write the reactants to the left of the arrow and the products to the right of
the arrow.

Light energy + ______________ + ______________ ______________ + ______________

9. Most organisms use a process known as ____________________ to release the energy from
food.
10. What are the reactants required to release the energy? _______________ and ______________.
11. What are the products of this process? ____________________, ___________________ and
____________________
12. In the space below, write the reactants to the left of the arrow and the products to the right of
the arrow.

______________ + ______________ _____________ + _____________ + ______________

13. How are these two processes similar? And how are they different?