What a learner can do afterwards
- Observe that surfaces in sunlight feel warmer than those in shade
- Describe that sunlight provides warmth (heat energy) to Earth's surface
- Compare temperatures of surfaces in sun vs shade using touch or a thermometer
1 · Read
Sunlight is more than just light. It also carries warmth. When sunlight hits the ground, it heats it up.
Mia touches the sunny sidewalk. It feels hot on her hand. Then she touches the shady sidewalk. It feels cool and gentle. The sun warmed only the sunny part.
Touch a sunny spot and a shady spot. Feel which one is warmer. That warmth comes from the sun.
Sunlight warms the ground, water, and things it shines on.
More to read
Key points: Solar radiation and Earth's seasons
The Sun sends warm light all the way down to Earth. We call this warm light sunlight, and it carries heat with it. When sunlight lands on the ground, the ground soaks up that heat and warms up. Water warms up too when sunlight shines on it. Some spots get more direct sunlight than others, and those spots warm up the fastest. That is why a sunny spot on the sidewalk can feel hot, while a shady spot under a tree feels cool. Try this: touch the ground in the sun, then touch the ground in the shade. The sunny spot should feel warmer, because it has been soaking up the Sun's heat the whole time!
2 · Watch
En anglaisTake it off screen
Where it sits
Learn first
Nothing; this is a starting point.
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.