Lesson 4 Thermal Energy
Completion requirements
Introduction
We have learned how the earth’s and sun’s positions affect climate, but how does the movement of thermal energy on Earth affect it?
DS2.1 Mountain range seen from space with clouds on one side
In this section, you will learn more details about thermal energy and how it is absorbed. Does every substance absorb thermal energy the same way? How can we tell how much thermal energy is absorbed?
Once you have a better understanding of thermal energy, you will look at how thermal energy moves around the globe and contributes to different climates. Why does living near an ocean, large lake, or mountains affect your climate? How do weather patterns across Earth affect us?
Finally, you will learn what a climatograph is and how to read one. You will use climatographs to compare biomes.
Once you have a better understanding of thermal energy, you will look at how thermal energy moves around the globe and contributes to different climates. Why does living near an ocean, large lake, or mountains affect your climate? How do weather patterns across Earth affect us?
Finally, you will learn what a climatograph is and how to read one. You will use climatographs to compare biomes.
Targets
By the end of this section, you will be able to
DS2.2 Heating curve of water
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investigate and calculate the different thermal properties of substances on Earth and how this affects climate; this includes the different rates at which thermal energy transfers from one substance to another
DS2.3 Water cycle
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describe how thermal energy is transferred through the atmosphere and the hydrosphere and use this information to describe the climates of biomes
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analyze climatographs of biomes and explain why biomes with similar characteristics can exist in different locations on Earth