8.

6
In Section 8.5, you saw how the position and tilt of Earth
determine how much solar energy a region on Earths
surface will receive. What happens to that solar energy
when it enters Earths atmosphere?

Solar Energy Reaches Earths Surface

When solar energy reaches Earth, it is either reflected or absorbed.
Some solar energy is reflected back into space by clouds, by
particles in the atmosphere, and by Earths surface. Most of it is
absorbed (Figure 1). About 70 % of the solar energy is absorbed
by Earths atmosphere, water, and land.
thermal energy: the
energy of particles
associated with
temperature and changes
of state

The energy absorbed by Earths atmosphere, water, and land

is converted to thermal energy. Thermal energy is the energy
associated with the temperature of a substance and changes of
state. Thermal energy causes land and water to become warmer.

incoming
solar energy
100 %

reflected by
atmosphere
6%

reflected by
clouds
20 %

reflected from
Earths surface
4%

absorbed by atmosphere
and clouds 19 %

absorbed by land
and water 51 %
Figure 1 Incoming energy from the Sun is either reflected or
absorbed by Earths surface, clouds, and atmosphere.

312 Chapter 8 Earths Climate System

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Heat Sinks
A heat sink is any substance that can absorb and store thermal
energy with little change in temperature. Some parts of Earths
surface act as heat sinks. The most important of these are oceans
and other large bodies of water, such as the Great Lakes. You have
probably experienced water as a heat sink. On a hot summer day,
the temperature of water is usually cooler than that of the air.

heat sink: a reservoir,

such as the ocean, that
absorbs and stores
thermal energy

The atmosphere also acts as a heat sink. Some gases in the

atmosphere, such as water vapour, are able to absorb and hold
thermal energy. The land on Earths surface is the least able to act
as a heat sink.

When Energy In Equals Energy Out

Earths temperature stays in a livable range even though it is
constantly receiving energy from the Sun. As the temperature of
Earths surface increases, some of the absorbed energy is released in
all directions as lower-energy infrared radiation. this energy is radiated
back into space (Figure 2). When the amount of energy coming in is
the same as the amount going out, Earths energy is in balance. When
this occurs, the global temperature stays fairly constant.
outgoing
solar radiation

outgoing lower-energy
infrared radiation

incoming
solar energy

dig deeper

Reading Tip
Finding the Main Idea
The last sentence of a
paragraph is usually its
concluding sentence. Its
job is to remind the reader
of the main idea and key
reasons for accepting it.
The last sentence of a
paragraph is a good place
to check for the main idea.

absorbed by
atmosphere
and clouds

absorbed energy
converted to
low-energy
infrared radiation
absorbed by land
and water
Figure 2 When Earths energy is in balance, the same amount of
energy that reaches Earth goes back into space.

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8.6 Earths Energy Balance 313

TRY This bring on the sun!

Skills: Questioning, Hypothesizing, Predicting, Controlling Variables, Performing, Observing, Analyzing

3.A., 3.B.

In this activity, you will determine how a model of

Earths surface heats over time when exposed to
thermal energy from a lamp.
Equipment and Materials: desk lamp with 60 W
incandescent bulb; paper or plastic plate; gravel;
thermometer; white paper; ruler
1. Work with a group. Prepare a model of Earths
surface by placing a layer of gravel on the plate.
Put the thermometer bulb under the gravel. Put
the white paper over the exposed part of the
thermometer to block it from the light.
Safety

Do not touch the light bulb, even when it is off. It

could cause a burn. Do not pull on the cord to unplug
the lamp.

Figure 3 A model of Earths surface

4. After 1 h, turn off the lamp. Place your hand

carefully over the gravel. It may be very hot.
Record your observations.
A. Plot a graph of temperature versus time.

T/ I

B. Did the temperature of your model Earth rise

without stopping when the lamp was on? T/ I
C. What did you notice when you put your hand over the
gravel after the lamp was turned off? Explain. T/ I C

2. Bend the lamp so that the bulb is 10 cm above the

gravel (Figure 3). Measure and record the starting
temperature of the gravel.

D. Predict what you would feel if you placed your

hand over the gravel 30 min after the lamp was
turned off. T/I

3. Turn on the light. Make sure the light does not

shine directly onto the thermometer. Record the
temperature every 5 min for 1 h.

E. Predict what would happen if you used an

equal mass of water instead of gravel. T/I

8.6 Wrap Up
Solar energy that reaches Earth may be reflected or absorbed. About 70 %
is absorbed.
Heat sinks absorb and hold thermal energy without a large increase in
temperature.
Earths oceans are the best heat sinks, followed by the atmosphere and
theland.
Earths energy is in balance when the amount of energy absorbed is equal
to the amount that is emitted back into space.

Check Your Learning

1. Describe what happens to solar energy once it
reaches Earth. K /U
2. In terms of energy, why does Earths temperature
remain fairly constant? K /U
3. Your body is always producing energy. When you
put on a sweater, you start to warm up, but you do
not keep getting warmer. Explain how this energy
balance happens. T /I C

314 Chapter 8 Earths Climate System

4. (a) In terms of absorbed and reflected energy,

what would have to happen for Earth to have
cooler temperatures?
(b) What would you expect to happen if the
amount of energy reflected by Earth stayed the
same but the amount of energy coming from
the Sun decreased? A

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