1.4: The Sun’s Energy

Science StarterMr. Houtz asked his students how astronomers

figure out what stars are made of: Ka’Ron: “I think it’s impossible to know what

stars are made of”Sophia: “I think astronauts are able to take samples that astronomers can look at to see what they are made of”Tyrus: “Astronomers can tell what our Sun is made from, and that tells them what stars are made ofDavid: “I think astronomers examine the light given off by a star to see what it’s made of”Shakia: “When shooting stars fall to Earth, some pieces are left. Astronomers take them to the lab to see what they’re made of”

**Which student has the best answer? Explain why:**

The big ole’ Sun We are going to

interpret information from a video

You are responsible for putting the sun’s structure into your graphic organizer

You will have just a few minutes to do this!

Agenda

1. Warm-Up & Sun Model

2. Yesterday’s Exit Ticket

3. Video Notes

4. Saving the World Activity

5. Mid-Unit Quiz

Big QuestionsCommon Questions Remaining Yesterday:

Lesson Essential Question

Why does the sun shine?

COMBUSTION: FIRE

As we watch the video, answer the questions in your graphic organizer. The video will go quick, so pay very close attention!

Video #1:

http://www.brainpop.com/science/energy/fire/

Question Answer

What is the main difference between a log and a flame?

The log is made of matter and the flame is not

Where can you find a combustion reaction taking place?

Inside a car engine

Which of the following is an essential ingredient of fire?

Oxygen

Place the following events in sequential order: A. Flame ignites B. Fuel vaporizes C. Heat is added to fuel

CBA

In most fires, where does the oxygen come from?

The earth’s atmosphere

If a piece of ice vaporized, it might _____________.

Turn into steam

When you strike a match, you create friction between the match head and striking the surface. What else is an example of friction?

Bicycle tires skidding on the pavement

What can you infer about the exhaust that comes out of a car’s tailpipe?

It contains carbon compounds

The main difference between fire and an explosion is_____.

The speed at which the reaction takes place.

Video #2: THE SUN

Answer questions while you watch!

http://www.brainpop.com/science/space/sun/

Which term best characterizes the sun? A StarHow many Earths could fit inside the sun? 1 millionThe sun’s radiation is responsible for Earth’s_______ heat

Where can you find the photosphere? Surface of the sunHow much hotter is the core of the Sun than the surface? Millions of times hotter in

the coreWhich 2 elements make up the sun? Hydrogen and HeliumWhat can you infer about helium from the fact that it’s made from nuclear fission reactions that take place inside the sun?

It weighs more and is bigger than hydrogen

What is the relationship between the sun and life on earth? It begins the life cycle, allows plants to grow

What causes the seasons? The tilt of the EarthWhat effect does the sun’s electromagnetic field have? The electro magnetic field

sends heat/light to the Earth

Video #3

Answer questions while you watch!

http://www.brainpop.com/science/energy/nuclearenergy/

Question Answer

Explain the process of nuclear fission Splitting an atom’s nucleus apart

Where do nuclear factories get their uranium from? From mines

From the information presented in the movie, what can you infer about neutrons?

They’re located inside an atom’s nucleus.

Place the following events in sequential order:•Uranium atoms split•Steam powers turbines•Fuel rods heat up

ACB

Why do nuclear power plants use uranium as fuel? Uranium atoms have nuclei that can easily be split apart

Describe some benefits that nuclear energy has over fossil fuels

It won’t run out as quickly as fossil fuels

Describe an example of nuclear fusion. Two hydrogen atoms are combined to create a new helium atom

How are the effects of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission different?

Nuclear fusion produces no radioactive waste.

Quick View: Radiation

http://www.wisc-online.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=sce304

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNzDXXUiqRs

Question Answer

What is radiation?

Electromagnetic waves travel through space

What role do radioactive waves play in the Earth?

Radioactive waves travel through empty space and help heat the Earth’s surface once they arrive.

What are other examples of radiation heat transfer?

A camp fire

Saving the World

There will be 3 scenarios projected on the board. You will have 5 minutes to work through each problem.

Take advantage of this time to practice what we have learned!

I will let you know when you have 60 seconds left and when I am going to change the scenario.

Scenario 1

In Biology, you will be spending lots of time explaining photosynthesis, which is the process in which plants take the sun’s energy in order to create their own food. Imagine that you are in your 10th grade Biology class and your teacher calls on you to explain how energy from the sun makes its way to Earth.

Scenario 1

Assignment: Draw a mini-poster explaining the process of radiation and explain how Earth receives energy from the sun. Label the following: empty space, sun, Earth, and radiation. You must additionally write a detailed explanation of how radiation works. Be sure to include a non-astronomy example!

Scenario 2 You are a scientist working for a private

space exploration company. At 3am, you receive an urgent telephone call asking that you immediately report to the office. Once you arrive, the team of scientists you work with explains that the sun will stop shining on December 21st, 2012. As a member of the team, you are asked to make a public statement to the entire country explaining what this will mean for people around the world.

Scenario 2

Assignment: create a statement that you could present to the class which includes details about what would happen if the sun were to stop shining. Consider things such as what would happen to our food supply, where we would receive our energy from, what kinds of things we would need to stop doing, what kinds of things we would do more, etc…

Scenario 3

Apple focuses a lot of attention on saving energy and making products that are energy-efficient. You recently were hired by Apple as an Energy Expert. Your first task on the job is to decide whether Apple should continue using the combustion process to power their factory operations or if they should switch to using nuclear energy.

Scenario 3 Assignment:

Create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting combustion and nuclear fission.

When you are finished, write a letter to the CEO of Apple (Tim Cook) explaining which source of energy the company should use to fuel their company cars and why you made that decision.

Put all notes, paper, and notebooks away. Clear desk and only have a pen/pencil in

hand

Mid-Unit Quiz• Quiz is 10 questions

• Answer by filling in your answer in the blank line (I will not grade the answer you circle)

• Testing Rules Apply (Only one warning for talking, letter grade deduction)

• When you finish, flip your paper over and put your head down

• You will have 15 minutes at most to finish