Final answer:
The hydrosphere is the Earth's water system that interacts with the sun to influence weather patterns through the water cycle, including evaporation and condensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the sun impacts weather, an interaction with the hydrosphere takes place. It is essential to understand that the hydrosphere, which includes all the Earth's water, is not an isolated system but interacts dynamically with other global systems such as the atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. These interactions are part of what is known as the water cycle.
The sun is the primary energy source driving the water cycle by heating water in the hydrosphere, causing it to evaporate. When water vapor cools, it condenses, forming clouds and eventually falling back to Earth as precipitation, such as rain or snow. This continuous movement of water through the hydrosphere and the energy changes accompanying it significantly influence weather patterns on Earth.
Understanding these physical processes is key to studying the intricate and interdependent nature of Earth's systems, which collectively impact our global climate and environment. The hydrosphere, being a critical component of Earth's systems, plays a central role in weather and climate regulation due to its interaction with the sun's energy.