Lesson Check: Solar Energy on Earth

A snow-covered mountain has a ​ (a)   albedo than a dark-colored corn field. Therefore, it will reflect ​ (b)   solar energy than the field.

• lower
• less
• higher
• more

Answer explanation

Albedo measures how much sunlight is reflected. Snow reflects more sunlight than dark surfaces, so it stays cooler.

When Earth receives energy from the Sun, _____.

• some energy is reflected back into space

• some is absorbed by the atmosphere

• some is absorbed by land and water on Earth's surface

• no energy is absorbed by the atmopshere

• all energy is absorbed by Earth

Answer explanation

Some is absorbed by the atmosphere, land, and water, and some is reflected back into space.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Julie and Devon are modeling how the Sun heats Earth. Julie hangs a sheet of graph paper on a wall. Devon holds a flashlight and shines it in a straight line toward the graph paper while Julie dims the lights in the classroom. The diagram shows their model of the Sun heating Earth at the equator. How can the students change their model to represent how the Sun heats Earth in places where the climate is cold all year?

• They can tilt the angle of the graph paper.

• They can use graph paper with larger squares.

• They can use a flashlight with a narrower beam of light.

• They can move the flashlight farther away from the graph paper.

Answer explanation

At the poles, sunlight hits at an angle, spreading the heat over a larger area. Tilting the paper mimics this effect.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which sentence correctly compares temperatures in rural and urban areas?

• A) Rural areas are usually cooler because trees and water absorb more sunlight than concrete surfaces.

• B) Rural areas are usually warmer because grasses and other plants absorb sunlight to grow.

• C) Urban areas are usually cooler because buildings absorb sunlight before it reaches the ground.

• D) Urban areas are usually warmer because streets have surfaces that absorb sunlight.

Answer explanation

Urban areas are warmer because streets absorb sunlight.
Cities have roads and buildings made of dark materials that absorb heat, making them hotter than rural areas.

The Sun’s energy hits the surface of Earth most directly at the poles.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The equator gets the most direct sunlight, while the poles get less because the sunlight spreads out.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The specific heat of water is higher than the specific heat of sand. That is why water heats up more slowly than sand.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Water takes longer to heat up and cool down because it needs more energy to change temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Explain why it is colder at the north and south poles than at the equator.

• The poles receive less direct sunlight due to the tilt of the Earth's axis.

• The poles are farther from the sun than the equator.

• The equator has more landmass than the poles.

• The poles are covered with ice, which makes them colder.

Answer explanation

The poles receive less direct sunlight due to Earth’s tilt.
The tilt of Earth causes sunlight to hit the poles at an angle, spreading the heat over a larger area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A student walks barefoot on a hot, sunny day from a sandy beach on to a parking lot paved with dark asphalt. Why do the two materials feel different on the student's feet?

• The sandy beach reflects more sunlight, making it cooler than the dark asphalt, which absorbs more heat.

• The sandy beach absorbs more sunlight, making it hotter than the dark asphalt, which reflects more heat.

• Both materials absorb the same amount of heat, but the sandy beach is naturally cooler.

• The sandy beach and dark asphalt have the same temperature, but the asphalt feels hotter due to its texture.

Answer explanation

Sand reflects more sunlight, while asphalt absorbs more heat.
Lighter surfaces, like sand, reflect sunlight and stay cooler, while dark surfaces, like asphalt, absorb heat and get hotter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What area of Earth is receiving the most solar radiation?

• Equator

• North Pole

• South Pole

• Tropics

Answer explanation

The equator receives the most direct sunlight all year, making it the warmest region.

Match each surface with what it does to solar radiation:

• Roads

• Reflects some, absorbs some, gets warm but not too hot.

• Light-colored sand

• Absorbs a lot of sunlight, but also provides shade.

• Snow

• Absorbs most sunlight, making it warmer.

• Ocean

• Absorbs almost all radiation, making them very hot in the sun.

• Forests

• Reflects most sunlight, keeping it cold.

Answer explanation

• Snow → Reflects most sunlight, keeping it cold.

• Ocean → Absorbs sunlight but also provides shade.

• Light-colored sand → Reflects some sunlight, absorbs some heat.

• Forests → Absorbs sunlight, making them warmer.

• Roads → Absorb almost all sunlight, making them hot.