Earth's Energy Budget

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Earth's energy budget accounts for the balance between the energy that Earth receives from the ______

Sun

Smaller energy sources, such as Earth's internal ______, are taken into consideration

heat

As the energy seeks equilibrium across the planet, it drives interactions in Earth's ______ system

climate

Earth's energy budget depends on many factors, such as atmospheric ______, greenhouse gases, the planet's surface albedo (reflectivity), clouds, vegetation, land use patterns, and more

aerosols Signup and view all the answers

When the incoming and outgoing energy fluxes are in balance

Earth's climate Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

Solar energy = The primary energy source for Earth's energy budget Equilibrium = The state when the incoming and outgoing energy fluxes are in balance Climate system = The system that is driven by the energy seeking equilibrium across the planet Atmospheric aerosols = One of the factors that Earth's energy budget depends on Signup and view all the answers

Match the following factors with their role in Earth's energy budget:

Greenhouse gases = Influence the amount of energy that is absorbed and emitted by the Earth Surface albedo = Determines the amount of solar energy that is reflected back into space Clouds = Can either cool or warm the Earth by reflecting or trapping heat Land use patterns = Can impact the amount of solar energy absorbed by the Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with the correct term:

The Sun heats the equatorial tropics more than the polar regions = Uneven distribution of received solar irradiance Smaller energy sources that make a tiny contribution compared to solar energy = Earth's internal heat Interactions in Earth's water, ice, atmosphere, rocky crust, and all living things = Driven by the energy seeking equilibrium across the planet The balance between the energy that Earth receives from the Sun and the energy the Earth loses back into outer space = Earth's energy budget Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their roles in Earth's energy budget:

Incoming energy flux = Energy that Earth receives from the Sun Outgoing energy flux = Energy the Earth loses back into outer space Energy equilibrium = State when the energy across the planet is balanced Energy budget = Accounts for the balance between incoming and outgoing energy Signup and view all the answers

Match the following factors with their contributions to Earth's energy budget:

Solar energy = The largest contributor to Earth's energy budget Atmospheric aerosols = Contribute a small amount to Earth's energy budget Greenhouse gases = Influence the amount of energy that is trapped in the Earth's atmosphere Surface albedo = Determines the amount of energy that is reflected back into space Signup and view all the answers