📚 Topic Summary
The sun is like a giant heater in space! It sends out heat and light to Earth, which keeps our planet warm enough for plants, animals, and us to live. This heat is called solar energy. Not all parts of Earth get the same amount of sunlight. Places near the equator get more direct sunlight and are warmer, while places near the poles get less direct sunlight and are colder.
The sun's warmth is essential for many things. It helps plants grow through photosynthesis, it drives weather patterns like wind and rain, and it even affects the water cycle! Without the sun, Earth would be a very different, and much colder, place.
🧪 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the word with its definition:
| Word |
Definition |
| 1. Solar Energy |
A. The line around the middle of the Earth |
| 2. Equator |
B. The process where plants use sunlight to make food |
| 3. Photosynthesis |
C. How hot or cold something is |
| 4. Temperature |
D. The transfer of heat through air or water |
| 5. Convection |
E. Energy from the sun |
(Answers: 1-E, 2-A, 3-B, 4-C, 5-D)
🌡️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
The sun's ______ is very important for life on Earth. Plants use sunlight for ______. Places near the ______ are generally warmer than places near the poles because they get more direct sunlight. The sun's energy also drives our ______ patterns, like wind and rain. Without the sun, Earth would be much ______.
(Answers: warmth, photosynthesis, equator, weather, colder)
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Imagine the sun suddenly disappeared. What are three things that would happen to Earth?