Solar Energy Solar energy is the source of most of Earth’s heat on land, in the oceans and in the atmosphere. When solar energy interacts with air, soil and water, things happen like wind, rain and other elements of weather.

Solar Energy About 50% of the energy that reaches Earth’s surface from the sun is absorbed by land and oceans. The rest of the energy is either reflected back into space or absorbed by our atmosphere.

Solar Energy The temperature of a surface helps us to determine how much of the sun’s energy has been absorbed by it. –Only about 5% of the sun’s energy is absorbed by snow (very cold!). –About 95% of the sun’s energy is absorbed by a dark forest.

Wind, Weather & Seasons Winds form and weather patterns change because of... –Differences in how the earth’s surfaces absorb and give off energy. The tilt of earth’s axis is responsible for the changing seasons on earth.

Life on Earth There are two reasons why earth is warm enough for life to exist on it. They are... –Our atmosphere –Our weather