G3 Energy from the Sun (On Grade)_02

Some things can absorb a lot of heat when the Sun is in the sky. Energy is absorbed by them as light is turned turns into heat.

What do you think happens when the Sun goes down? There is no more energy to absorb, and the heat energy is released back into the air.

In some areas, there is a lot of water. Water is able to absorb a lot of heat. Water can absorb a lot more heat than a similar amount of rocks and soil. Think about how long it takes to boil water. Florida is a peninsula, meaning it is surrounded by water on three sides. All that water takes in a lot of energy during the day. At night, some of that energy is released. The heat from the water warms the air. This is why in places like Florida, nights do not get very cold. It is also why winters are mild.

Rock and soil heat up more quickly than water. They also give off heat very quickly. This is why it gets hot in the desert during the day. At night it gets very cold, even in the summer.

Dad is always asking you what you learned in school. Maybe you could explain how we get energy from the Sun. How some things heat up faster than others when they are in the Sun. Maybe you should also tell him he needs to park his car in the shade. He could also think about getting a light-colored car.