Heat And Light From The Sun

The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system that includes Earth. It is 150 million kilometers from the Earth and it is the main source of heat and light energy.

During the day, sunlight provides heat and light, which are two types of energy. Life exists on Earth because the Sun provides just the right amount of energy. Planets that are closer to the Sun receive more energy and also too hot for life to exist. Planets that are too far are too cold to life in.

Energy is needed to do work and make things happen. Practically everything that happens on Earth depend on energy that originally came from the Sun. Plants depend on energy from sunlight for their growth, and pass on part of this energy to animals that consume them. Carnivorous animals gain their energy from the meat of other animals that eat plants. Also, coal, oil and natural gas are all formed from the remains of plants and animals that grew thanks to the energy from sunlight.

Heat from sunlight evaporates water from Earth ocean, warms the air and makes the winds blow. These winds carry heat and water vapour around the world and control its weather patterns.