Question

The sun provides energy for the circulation of air and water in our atmosphere. Which statement best describes the cause of this movement of air and water?

a. It's driven by gravitational forces.
b. It's caused by the Earth's magnetic field.
c. It's due to the heating of the Earth's surface by the sun.
d. It's a result of ocean currents.

Answer 1

The movement of air and water in our atmosphere is driven by the heating of Earth's surface by the sun. This leads to convection currents and atmospheric circulation patterns, which are also influenced by the Coriolis effect due to Earth's rotation. Solar energy similarly drives the water cycle and influences weather and climate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The movement of air and water in our atmosphere is primarily driven by the heating of the Earth's surface by the sun. This process is known as convection and is caused by the fact that warm air or water is less dense, and therefore rises, while cooler air or water descends. This large-scale flow of matter leads to atmospheric circulation patterns where hot air moves from the equatorial regions towards the poles, and cold air moves from the poles towards the equator. Additionally, these circulation patterns are affected by the Earth's rotation, resulting in the Coriolis effect, which contributes to easterly flows of air in the northern hemisphere, for example.

Besides the movement of air, the sun's energy also plays a critical role in the water cycle. Evaporation driven by solar heat lifts water vapor into the atmosphere, where it eventually cools, condenses, and falls back to Earth as precipitation, completing the cycle with the help of gravity.