1. … Along with a couple of other things you need to know…
Solar Energy Vocab
… Along with a couple of other things you need to know…

2. What is Solar Radiation
Sun’s energy that travels through space
Comes in 3 forms

3. What is infrared radiation
Form of solar radiation
Cannot see
Has the ability to go around objects due to long wavelength
Low energy; long wavelength

4. What is ultraviolet radiation
Form of solar radiation
Feel as heat
Emitted through fluorescent light bulbs
Cause sunburns
High energy; short waves

5. What is visible light Third form of solar radiation
Light that we can see in color form
Red, Blue, Yellow are the primary colors. Every other color is a secondary color, or a blending of the primary colors.
White is the absorption of all colors; black is the absence of all colors

6. What does reflected mean?
Bounce back
1/3 of radiation is reflected

7. What does absorption mean
Taken in
One half of sun’s energy is absorbed

8. What is the Greenhouse Effect?
Excess build up of gases in the atmosphere
Doesn’t allow heat to be reflected

10. What is conduction
Heat energy is transferred

11. What is convection Movement of molecules
Specifically cold and warm molecules
Ex: Heat energy from the sun powers the movement of the oceans and atmosphere
Causes thunderstorms and hurricanes
Warm water/ land mixed with cold air

12. How is a cloud formed (how does the water cycle work involving water vapor)
Water vapor molecules evaporated into the sky
Cools and forms into water particles = formation of a cloud (condensation)
Too many water particles gathered together causes precipitation.