Lesson 7 - Global Energy Transformations

3 main sources of Energy on Earth

Solar, Gravitational Potential Energy, Nuclear Energy (the greatest impact is solar)

Describe Solar energy

Light/radiant energy from the sun drives the movement of air(atmosphere) and water (hydrosphere), Transfers heat to the ground, supplies plants with energy for food chains

Gravitational potential energy

transformation of the moon’s gravitational potential causes water in the ocean to move in and out (tides)

Nuclear energy

nuclear —> thermal by radiaactive decay in the Earth’s crust and mantle, causes volcanic activity, movement of tectonic plates and hot springs

Conduction

transfer of thermal energy between two substances that are touching. (e.g land and water absorb solar energy, then transfer thermal energy to cooler air by conduction)

Convection

transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids and gases). In this process, warmer, less dense regions rise while cooler, denser areas sink, creating a circular motion. creates winds in the air and currents in the ocean

Describe how energy transfer in food chains

Primary producers capture light energy from the sun and creates the bonds between atoms in a molecule of sugar through photosynthesis, energy passes through each level by eating organisms but only 10% of the original energy transfers and the other is used for life and passes as heat

Describe the carbon cycle

all living things are made of carbon, primary produces capture carbon CO2 from the atmosphere and create glucose, when consumers eat they store that carbon in their bodies, when organisms die their bodies are either eaten or buried underground

the carbon is compacted over millions of years and undergoes a change in form under heat and pressure

How coal was formed

Coal forms over millions of years from dead plant matter in swampy areas that are buried under layers of sediment. Under immense heat and pressure, this organic material gradually transforms into different types of coal (e.g., peat, lignite, anthracite), which is part of the carbon cycle.

Petroleum and natural gas formation

Petroleum (crude oil) and natural gas are fossil fuels formed over millions of years from the buried remains of ancient marine organisms and other organic matter. As these materials were subjected to immense heat and pressure under layers of sediment, they transformed into liquid hydrocarbons (petroleum) and gaseous hydrocarbons, primarily methane (natural gas). Both are extracted from the Earth and are a significant part of the carbon cycle.