Sun Controls Earth’s Climate

System

• Earth has a global climate system that includes air, land, liquid water, ice, and living things.

• The climate system is powered by energy from the Sun.

• The Sun emits different types of radiation:• ultraviolet radiation• visible light• infrared radiation

Earth’s Climate System

When radiation strikes a particle, it can:1.get absorbed by the particle, causing particle to gain energy2.be transmitted through the particle3.be reflected off the particle

Sun’s Radiation:30% is reflected back to space by clouds and surface of Earth70% is absorbed by surface, clouds and atmosphere

Earth Absorbs Sun’s Energy

Earth’s Energy Balance

when Earth’s surface warms, it emits radiation back

the amount of energy Earth’s system absorbs from the Sun equals the amount of energy radiated by Earth’s system

therefore, Earth’s global temperature stays balanced

Balance of Energy on Earth