Solar Energy on Earth

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

• all answers are correct

Thermal energy always moves from areas of lower temperature to areas of higher temperature.

• True

• False

Which example below can absorb the least amount of thermal energy?

• Glacier (white)

• Desert (beige)

• Jungle (green)

• Ocean (dark blue)

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

• True

• False

What causes the Earth to be heated unevenly?

• The different types of surfaces that exist such as land and water

• The Suns angle of radiation due to the spherical shape of the Earth

• The various colors that makeup the different surfaces on Earth such as mountains, glaciers, and water

• All answers are correct

IMAGINE - you are at the beach, and the sand is hot and water is cold. Which statement is the most accurate to explain this phenomenon.

• Sand has a higher specific heat capacity than water, therefore it is colder.

• Sand has a lower specific heat capacity than water, therefore it is colder.

• Water has a higher specific heat capacity than water, therefore it is colder.

• Water has a higher specific heat capacity than water, therefore it is warmer.

The suns energy hits the surface of the Earth mostly directly at the poles.

• True

• False

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

What area of Earth is receiving the most solar radiation?

• the north pole

• Southern California

• the equator

• the south pole

Which example below can absorb the most amount of thermal energy?

• Glacier (white)

• Desert (beige)

• Jungle (green)

• Ocean (dark blue)