Second Grade Earth Science
Scientists have theorized that planet earth is around 4.6 billion years old. It began as a ball of heated molten rock, likened to an ocean of magma. As the magma collided and moved, it began to form solid shapes. Eventually the collisions became less and less and the earth's crust began to form and cool. This brought about condensation which caused rain. It is said that the rain did not stop until the oceans had formed and the earth had cooled.
It was many years after the cooling of the earth did the first signs of life appear. From the brief history in the first paragraph, it is easy to see that the earth has a long and old history. The study of the earth or earth science is not that old, though. It is arguably a younger science when compared to physics, astronomy, and life science. This doesn't lessen its importance, though. In fact, studying the earth and what affects it is very important for the advancement of society and humankind as we know.
Solar Power
The study of energy is a topic covered by both physical and earth science. It is important because everyone on earth needs energy. With harnessed energy, we can run our cars, power our homes, cook our food, and manufacture clothes or provide shelter. Recently, scientists and environmentalists have been campaigning that everyone on earth begin using renewable energy. This type of energy is taken from natural resources.
There are several types of renewable energy that can be found on earth. Renewable energy is a clean form of energy because it is naturally replenished, and it does not cause the same amount of pollution (if any) as non‐renewable forms of energy. Examples of renewable energy are as follows: energy from the wind, from water (including waves and tides), biofuel and biomass, geothermal power (energy taken from the heat deep within the earth), and there is solar power, which is energy from the sun.
Solar power is a renewable form of energy because it harnesses sunlight and converts this into electricity. Sunlight contains heat energy which is part of what is harnessed and converted into electrical energy. There are two ways to collect solar power. The first way is called photovoltaics, which involves solar panels or cells absorbing light from the sun, passing this through a system which later on connects it to the electrical grid. The grid then passes the electricity to everyone living in the area.
The second way solar power is harnessed is through concentrating solar power. This usually involves using the sun's light and heat to boil water. They are able to do this because a series of tools (reflectors like the solar power trough) is able to concentrate the sunlight into one steady beam of light. This boiling water is what is used to produce power.
Next Article: Making a Solar Car
