GEOL 101 Chapter pg. 35-62: Untitleddocument (2)
1 Feb 2017
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The sun is composed of mainly hydrogen and helium atoms and relatively small amounts of other elements. Convection: the difference between the sun"s surface and interior is quite large, causing heat and matter to rise toward the surface and then sink back into the interior. The sun is hot because of the immense gravity that forces the hydrogen atoms so close they collide and undergo nuclear fusion. During nuclear fusion the hydrogen atoms combine and convert into heavier helium atoms releasing tremendous amounts of heat. Sun"s temperature is about 30,000,000 degrees f. Electromagnetic radiation: type of energy that travels in the form of waves. Electromagnetic spectrum: individual waves vary in terms of wavelength and amount of energy they contain. Photosynthesis: convert visual light into chemical energy. Sun is the earth"s driver of the climate system because it provides the energy that causes heat and water to circulate through the hydrosphere and atmosphere.
