Energy Drives the Earth System Radioactive decay at core is released into the mantle, fueling volcanos, driving plate movement (Integrated science C/D year)

Energy Flow Drives the Earth System www.bewellbuzz.com UV, visible, IR from sun penetrate the atmosphere, warming oceans & land, converted by plants into organic fuel Intro video

The Ins & Outs of Solar Energy http://earsi.com/ggp01.htm 99% 30% 20% 50%

Is > than the amount of energy Sidebar The amount of that hits of Earths surface in 1 hour Is > than the amount of energy used by in a year. The amount of sunlight 1 m3 This is a resource we can tap!

Solar Energy Varies by Wavelength, λ reflected absorbed reflected We hear radio waves in the atmosphere because we generate them! EM Song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjOGNVH3D4Y

terrestrial radiation solar radiation terrestrial radiation • shorter wavelength visible EMR • absorbed by land, water • absorbed solar radiation re-radiated back from Earth • longer wavelength infrared (heat) EMR infrared

In effect, the sun heats the Earth… …and the Earth heats the air, as terrestrial radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases CH4 H20 absorbed solar radiation terrestrial radiation

Just like in a greenhouse… …or in your car

Thus, the lower atmosphere acts as a blanket, keeping the Earth a comfortable temperature

Mars • 0.01x of the density of Earth’s atmosphere 96& CO2) Venus • 90x density of Earth’s atmosphere Both are >95% Co2 462° C (863° F) Too hot! -46° C (-51° F) Too cold

100% 1% 99%

nuclear fusion in the sun produces radiant energy transformed into sugars by organisms containing cholorophyll photosynthesis sugars transformed to ATP by all organisms fermentation respiration Heat at every step! nuclear fusion in the sun produces radiant energy

One transformation you can count on! heat heat Always some energy transformed into heat Heat is a dead end: little use; lost to universe in time Therefore, although energy is conserved, the system needs the constant input from the sun Heat at every step!