The document discusses how energy from the sun drives many processes on Earth. It explains that the sun's energy is generated through nuclear reactions in its core and powers the water cycle, weathering processes, and atmospheric circulation. It also notes that different latitudes receive different amounts of solar radiation, causing temperature differences that power ocean and air currents globally.

1. ENERGY FROM THE SUN

2. ¿De dónde proviene la energía?
• La energía que llega a la Tierra proviene del
Sol.
• Es generada en su núcleo, mediante
reacciones nucleares.

3. • El calor del Sol es responsable del Ciclo del
Agua, así como de la acción de los agentes
geológicos que modelan el relieve (viento y
agua).

4. • Algunos tipos de radiaciones solares son
perjudiciales para la vida, y la atmósfera tiene
la función de filtrarlas, impidiendo que nos
lleguen en su totalidad.

5. No todas las zonas terrestres reciben la misma
radiación solar:
- Los rayos llegan más perpendiculares al Ecuador, por
lo que la atmósfera y los océanos se calientan más en
estas latitudes.
- En los Polos la radiación es más oblicua, de modo que
se calientan menos.

6. • Estas diferencias de temperatura originan
corrientes tanto en los océanos como en la
atmósfera.
• Y estas corrientes contribuyen
a distribuir el calor por el
planeta.

9. LOCAL ATMOSPHERIC
PHENOMENA

10. LOW PRESSURE AREAS
They are areas where air rises. So, there is no much air on the
terrestrial surface, and the pressure it exerts is low.
• As the air rises, it gets colder,
condenses, and form clouds.
• These clouds will produce
precipitations (bad weather).
• These areas are also called Squalls.

11. HIGH PRESSURE AREAS
They are areas where air descends. So, there is a lot of air on the
terrestrial surface, and the pressure it exerts is high.
• As the air descends,
it gets hot and dry, does not condense,
and does not form clouds.
• So, in these areas we will find
good weather.
• These areas are also called
Anticyclons.

13. THERMALS
• Columns of hot air which rise from the warm
surface heated by the Sun.

14. STORMS
• Caused by thunder clouds formation
(cumulonimbous).

15. COASTAL BREEZES
• Caused due to the different heat of the land
and the sea.

16. VALLEY BREEZES

17. THERMAL INVERSIONS
• Formed when the air at higher altitudes is
warmer than the air near the ground.

18. METEOROLOGY

19. • Meteorology is the science which study the
atmosphere and its phenomena.
• Weather maps help to make predictions about
winds, clouds and precipitations.
• In these maps isobars are drawn (lines which
connect points of equal atmospheric
pressure).

20. CLOUDS AND
PRECIPITATION

21. • Clouds are formed when rising air cools and condenses to
form liquid drops.
• Rain occurs when condensation makes large and heavy
droplets which fall to Earth.
• Snow and Hail occur when the water vapour in the air
freezes.

22. • There are different types of clouds:
- FOG: a cloud in contact with the ground.
- CUMULUS: white and puffy clouds that usually mean good
weather.

23. – CIRRUS: thin and high clouds made of ice crystals.

24. WINDS
• Movements of large masses of air.
• They are formed because air tends to move from
high pressure areas to low pressure areas.

25. HOW IS SOLAR ENERGY USED?
• To produce heat:
solar water heaters.
• To produce electricity:
photovoltaic cells.