Energy Flow On Earth
The source of all energy in ecosystems is the Sun.
The Sun Provides: Heat and warmth Photosynthesis Wind Fossil fuels
Sun’s Energy 30% 1% 25% 0.023% 44% reflected wind heat water photosynthesis 44% heat air and land
The Albedo Effect When sunlight strikes an object, some of the energy is absorbed, and some reflected. Albedo is a measurement of the percentage of light that an object reflects.
Snow has a high albedo because it reflects a lot of light. Rainforest has a low albedo because is does not relflect a lot of light.
Solar Radiation Albedo Effect – the percentage of light that an object reflects Snow = 80% reflection – this contributes to the cooling of the Earth during winter Clouds = also increase the albedo by living of the Earth
Energy Transfer Convection Conduction Radiation transfer of heat by the movement of particles from one part of a fluid to another Conduction transfer of heat by the collisions of particles Radiation transfer of energy by means of waves
Convection! a hot parking lot can heat the air above it and this heating causes the air to rise.
Radiation travels in the form of electromagnetic waves. This form of energy is very important in maintaining the “energy balance” on Earth.