Our Sun, Our Life, Our Past, Our Future!

Our Sun is the number one most important thing in our solar

system!!

What is the sun?

• A large hot ball of gases that gives off its own light and other electromagnetic waves.

• It is the star at the center of our solar system.

Did you know that at the sun’s core, or center, nuclear fusion makes enormous amounts of energy?

Each second the sun changes tons of hydrogen nuclei into helium nuclei. When the hydrogen and helium combine, reactions change the atoms’ mass into energy and release it as heat and light.

The sun plays important roles, or does important things for us here on Earth.

Our Sun is the energy source for…

All life here on EarthThe water cycleOur weather systemsOur fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.

Energy from the sun is called solar energy. Solar energy is the solar radiation that reaches the earth.

The sun has produced energy for billions of years. This type of energy from the sun can be changed into other forms such as, heat and electricity.

Once it is changed, the energy can heat water, buildings, and make electricity.

We must remember, not all the light, heat, and energy comes to us. Most goes back to space and some scatters around earth.

One interesting fact is that some people use solar cells or solar panels to collect the sun’s light, heat, and energy to warm their homes, swimming pools, and/or water. Even now cars are running by solar energy.

            

Helping

Plants

to Grow

The sun helps keep plants warm. It also helps them to carry out photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is when plants trap the sun’s energy and use it in their food-making process.

Plants can change sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food energy, oxygen, and water because they have a special ingredient called chlorophyll.

               

Creation of Winds

Winds are caused by the Sun because of the differences between hot and cold areas of the earth.

• Hot air rises!

Cold air sinks!

• The two different temperatures are always trying to get balanced! When they attempt to balance it causes motion……WIND!!!

• Since one side of the Earth is always in the shadow (night time), it is always cooler.

• The other side is always towards the sun, so it is hotter. (daytime)

Because of this the Earth can never get balanced!!! There will always be wind as long as there is an atmosphere!