Earth's Climate Systems
Aligned to HS-ESS2 — Next Generation Science Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Earth's climate results from interactions among the atmosphere, oceans, land, and ice, driven by energy from the sun. Feedback loops can amplify changes.
Worked example
Melting ice exposes darker ocean that absorbs more heat, causing more melting — a feedback loop that amplifies warming.
Practice questions
- Name two systems that interact to shape climate.
- Explain one climate feedback loop.
- What is the ultimate energy source for climate?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Los sistemas climáticos de la Tierra
El clima de la Tierra resulta de las interacciones entre la atmósfera, los océanos, la tierra y el hielo, impulsadas por la energía del Sol. Los ciclos de retroalimentación pueden amplificar los cambios.
Ejemplo: El derretimiento del hielo deja al descubierto océano más oscuro que absorbe más calor, provocando más derretimiento — un ciclo de retroalimentación que amplifica el calentamiento.
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