Mr. Burton 2.1 notes

1. Mr. Burton 2.1 notes Please Grab:1. Your folder.2. Writing Utensil.3. Answer the following question: What is solar energy?

2. Earth’s movement dictates our energy • All life on Earth requires solar energy, or energy from the sun, to survive. • Amount of solar energy received changes constantly • Earth’s rotation, revolution, tilt, and latitude all affect the amount of solar energy Earth receives.

3. Earth’s movement affects our energy • All life on Earth requires solar energy, or energy from the sun, to survive. • Amount of solar energy received changes constantly • Earth’s rotation, revolution, tilt, and latitude all affect the amount of solar energy Earth receives.

4. Rotation and Revolution • Rotation • Earth spins on its axis—an imaginary line that runs through the center of the planet around which it turns. • It takes Earth 24 hours to make one rotation, or complete spin on its axis. • As Earth spins, different parts of the planet face the sun, thus causing the changes from day to night. • Revolution • Earth follows an orbit, or path, around the sun. • Orbit is not a perfect circle. • It takes Earth 365¼ days to complete one revolution, or trip around the sun. • Our calendar year is based on the time it takes Earth to complete its orbit.

5. Tilt and Latitude • Tilt • Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23½ degrees from vertical. • At any give time of year, some places on Earth tilt toward the sun, and others tilt away. • Places tilting toward the sun receive more solar energy and have warmer temperatures than those that tilt away. • Latitude • Latitude is the distance north or south of Earth’s equator. • Low-latitude areas, those nearest the equator, receive direct rays from the sun all year. • High-latitude areas, those farther from the equator, receive indirect rays from the sun and have colder temperatures.

6. Seasons • Seasons are periods during the year that are known for a particular type of weather. • Many places experience four seasons—winter, spring, summer, and fall. • In some parts of the world, seasons are based on the amount of rainfall

7. The Seasons • Summer and Winter • Earth tilts away from sun in winter and towards the sun in summer. • Because of the Earth’s tilt, the Northern and Southern hemispheres experience opposite seasons. • Fall and Spring • In spring, Earth begins to tilt toward sun, solar energy increases, temperatures rise, and days grow longer. • In fall, the opposite occurs

8. Rainfall and Seasons • In the tropics, regions close to the equator, seasons are marked by rainfall rather than temperature. • At certain times of year, winds bring either dry or moist air to the tropics, creating wet and dry seasons.

9. Exit Slip: Solar Energy • Please identify: • Three (3) ways YOU use solar energy. • Two (2) ways WE use solar energy. • One (1) question you still have about solar energy.