The Sun's Energy and Earth's Systems

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What process transforms light energy from the sun into thermal energy or heat on Earth?

Nuclear fusion

Absorption (correct)

Photosynthesis

Convection

What term is used to describe the circular path that molecules take during heat transfer?

Convection current (correct)

Radiation

Nuclear fission

Thermal equilibrium

What do warm air and water do when they gain energy and move more quickly due to heating?

They evaporate

They rise (correct)

They sink

They freeze

What is the driving force behind winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle on Earth?

Energy from the sun Signup and view all the answers

Which meteorological phenomena are visible in satellite photographs due to the energy from the sun?

Evaporation and clouds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driver of the water cycle?

The energy from the Sun Signup and view all the answers

How does the Sun cause wind?

By creating areas of high and low pressure through unequal heating of the Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the equator in the global wind system?

The equator receives the most direct sunlight, causing air to rise and create low pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which water vapor enters the atmosphere?

Evaporation from the Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

How does the water cycle maintain a constant supply of fresh water?

By continuously recycling the same water through evaporation and precipitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary energy source that drives the water cycle and ocean currents?

The sun's heat and radiation Signup and view all the answers

How do ocean currents generally flow?

From the equator to the poles and back again Signup and view all the answers

What causes the surface currents in the oceans?

Wind blowing across the ocean's surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the convection currents in the oceans?

The warming of water by the sun at the equator Signup and view all the answers

According to the map, what do the red arrows represent?

Warm water currents moving away from the equator Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the circular path that molecules take during heat transfer?

Convection path Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the equator in the atmospheric system?

Generating global winds Signup and view all the answers

What process is responsible for transforming light energy from the sun into thermal energy or heat on Earth?

Absorption Signup and view all the answers

How are ocean surface currents primarily powered?

By the heating and cooling of water molecules due to solar energy Signup and view all the answers

What atmospheric phenomena are visible in satellite photographs due to the energy from the sun?

Precipitation patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is the main impact of the sun on ocean currents?

Directly powering the wind that moves water across the oceans Signup and view all the answers

How are warm water currents represented on the map?

By red arrows moving away from the equator Signup and view all the answers

Why does warm water rise at the equator in ocean currents?

To create a cycle with cooler water replacing it Signup and view all the answers

How do surface currents in the ocean mainly move according to the text?

From the poles towards the equator Signup and view all the answers

What is one way in which the sun indirectly affects deep ocean water circulation?

By sinking cold, dense water near the poles Signup and view all the answers

The Sun's Energy and Earth's Systems

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Questions and Answers

What process transforms light energy from the sun into thermal energy or heat on Earth?

What term is used to describe the circular path that molecules take during heat transfer?

What do warm air and water do when they gain energy and move more quickly due to heating?

What is the driving force behind winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle on Earth?

Which meteorological phenomena are visible in satellite photographs due to the energy from the sun?

What is the primary driver of the water cycle?

How does the Sun cause wind?

What is the role of the equator in the global wind system?

What is the primary mechanism by which water vapor enters the atmosphere?

How does the water cycle maintain a constant supply of fresh water?

What is the primary energy source that drives the water cycle and ocean currents?

How do ocean currents generally flow?

What causes the surface currents in the oceans?

What is the primary cause of the convection currents in the oceans?

According to the map, what do the red arrows represent?

What is the term used to describe the circular path that molecules take during heat transfer?

What is the primary role of the equator in the atmospheric system?

What process is responsible for transforming light energy from the sun into thermal energy or heat on Earth?

How are ocean surface currents primarily powered?

What atmospheric phenomena are visible in satellite photographs due to the energy from the sun?

What is the main impact of the sun on ocean currents?

How are warm water currents represented on the map?

Why does warm water rise at the equator in ocean currents?

How do surface currents in the ocean mainly move according to the text?

What is one way in which the sun indirectly affects deep ocean water circulation?

What is the primary cause of wind?

How do clouds contribute to the water cycle?

Why does warm air rise in Earth's atmosphere?

What is the role of sunlight in the creation of precipitation?

Why does water in the oceans evaporate?

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