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Energy from the Sun

Unit Plan: Urban Heat Island Lesson: 5
9-12Urban Ecosystems
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    Overview
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    Driving Question: What happens to radiation when it reaches the Earth?

    Summary: This lesson shifts the focus from the global level to the Solar. The objective of this lesson is for students to understand that hot objects (like the sun) emit shortwave (light) radiation that can travel through a vacuum and anything that is transparent. This radiation can either be reflected or absorbed by surfaces. The percentage of reflected radiation is the “albedo.” Absorbed radiation will increase the temperature of the surface of the object. This heat energy is then released as long wave (infrared) radiation. Teacher Note: You have two scheduled days for this topic.

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