Energy in the Earth System

Leah is going for a swim at the beach. She notices that the sand is much warmer than the water in the ocean. Which statement best explains why this happens?

• Water is unable to absorb energy.

• Water is unable to release energy

• Water has a lower specific heat capacity than sand

• Water has a higher specific heat capacity than sand.

Which of the following processes transfers energy between particles as well as through empty space?

• radiation only

• conduction only

• convection only

• both conduction and convection

Conduction happens as energy flows from a warmer object to a cooler object. When will the flow of energy stop?

• when the two objects are both warm

• when the warmer object reaches its freezing point

• when the two objects have the same temperature

• when the warmer object no longer has thermal energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Which of the following is required for conduction to happen between two parts of Earth’s geosphere?

• There must be contact between the two parts.

• The two parts must have the same temperature.

• The two parts must both be either liquids or gases.

• There must be either a gas or a liquid circulating or flowing

What is the source of the energy for ocean surface currents?

• the sun

• winds

• upwelling

• convection

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How does heat play a role in the formation of convection currents?

• When water loses heat, it becomes denser and sinks.

• When water gains heat, it becomes denser and sinks

• When water loses heat to cooler water, the cooler water becomes denser and sinks.

• When water gains heat, it dissolves more solids and gases, becomes denser, and sinks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Jessica is at the beach watching ocean waves. Which of these parts of the Earth system interacts with the hydrosphere to produce waves at the beach?

• biosphere

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• crysosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following best describes the role of the Sun in the Earth's energy system?

• A) The Sun provides energy for photosynthesis only.

• B) The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system.

• C) The Sun's energy is only absorbed by the oceans.

• D) The Sun's energy is only used for solar power generation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What is the primary method of heat transfer from the Earth's core to its surface?

• A) Radiation

• B) Conduction

• C) Convection

• D) Evaporation

Which of the following processes is responsible for the transfer of energy from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere?

• A) Conduction

• B) Radiation

• C) Convection

• D) Sublimation