2.2 The Sun provides energy to the Earth system

Sun’s solar energy Sun’s solar energy can be absorbed or reflected

Energy from the Sun heats Earth unevenly Earth’s shape is a sphere Not all places on Earth get the same amount of heat and sunlight—uneven heating Not all places on Earth get the same amount of heat and sunlight—uneven heating Earth is tilted on its axis axis—an imaginary line running through the center of the planet This tilt also causes uneven heating and this causes seasons to occur

Earth’s tilt causes seasons

Latitude and Temperature latitude—the distance in degrees from the equator What is the connection between latitude and temperature? Answer: As latitude increases, the temperature decreases.

High and Low Angles Earth’s surface receives more heat from the Sun in areas where sunlight hits the surface at high angles Sunlight near the equator is more concentrated because it is at a high angle. Sunlight near the poles is spread out because it is at a low angle.

Hours of daylight at the poles The closer you are to the poles, the more the day length varies During the summer, there is sunlight for 18 hours or more! At times the Sun does not set at all During the winter, there is no sunlight— dark and cold

Questions What are two things that can happen to the Sun’s energy? Do objects become warmer when they absorb or reflect solar radiation? Do the North and South poles get the same amount of energy from the Sun compared to land located at the equator? Explain. What causes seasons? Define axis. What season is it when the Northern Hemisphere is titled away from the Sun? What month is it? What is latitude? As latitude increases you get closer to where? What happens to the length of days as you get closer to the poles?