102,815
edits
Changes
→Energy from the Sun
[[Earth]]'s land [[surface]], [[oceans]] and [[atmosphere]] absorb solar radiation, and this raises their [[temperature]]. Warm air containing evaporated [[water]] from the [[oceans]] rises, causing [[atmospheric]] [[circulation]] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convection convection]. When the air reaches a high altitude, where the [[temperature]] is low, water vapor condenses into clouds, which rain onto the [[Earth]]'s [[surface]], completing the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_cycle water cycle]. The latent [[heat]] of water condensation amplifies convection, producing atmospheric [[phenomena]] such as [[wind]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone cyclones] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-cyclone anti-cyclones]. Sunlight absorbed by the [[oceans]] and land masses keeps the [[surface]] at an [[average]] [[temperature]] of 14 °C.[4] By [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis photosynthesis] green plants convert solar [[energy]] into [[chemical]] energy, which produces [[food]], wood and the biomass from which [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_Fuels fossil fuels] are derived.
[[Earth]]'s land [[surface]], [[oceans]] and [[atmosphere]] absorb solar radiation, and this raises their [[temperature]]. Warm air containing evaporated [[water]] from the [[oceans]] rises, causing [[atmospheric]] [[circulation]] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convection convection]. When the air reaches a high altitude, where the [[temperature]] is low, water vapor condenses into clouds, which rain onto the [[Earth]]'s [[surface]], completing the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_cycle water cycle]. The latent [[heat]] of water condensation amplifies convection, producing atmospheric [[phenomena]] such as [[wind]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone cyclones] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-cyclone anti-cyclones]. Sunlight absorbed by the [[oceans]] and land masses keeps the [[surface]] at an [[average]] [[temperature]] of 14 °C.[4] By [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis photosynthesis] green plants convert solar [[energy]] into [[chemical]] energy, which produces [[food]], wood and the biomass from which [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_Fuels fossil fuels] are derived.
The total solar energy absorbed by [[Earth]]'s [[atmosphere]], [[oceans]] and land masses is approximately 3,850,000 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joule#Multiples exajoules] (EJ) per year. In 2002, this was more [[energy]] in one hour than the world used in one year. Photosynthesis captures approximately 3,000 EJ per year in biomass. The amount of solar energy reaching the [[surface]] of the [[planet]] is so vast that in one year it is about twice as much as will ever be obtained from all of the [[Earth]]'s non-renewable resources of coal, oil, natural gas, and mined uranium combined.
The total solar energy absorbed by [[Earth]]'s [[atmosphere]], [[oceans]] and land masses is approximately 3,850,000 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joule#Multiples exajoules] (EJ) per year. In 2002, this was more [[energy]] in one hour than the world used in one year. Photosynthesis captures approximately 3,000 EJ per year in biomass. The amount of solar energy reaching the [[surface]] of the [[planet]] is so vast that in one year it is about twice as much as will ever be obtained from all of the [[Earth]]'s non-renewable resources of coal, oil, natural gas, and mined uranium combined.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_energy]
[[Category: Physics]]
[[Category: Physics]]