Science: The Sun as a Source of Light and Heat
Exploring how sunlight warms Earth and helps living things
Science: The Sun as a Source of Light and Heat
Exploring how sunlight warms Earth and helps living things
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
Name two things the Sun gives to Earth.
Think about what you notice outside on a sunny day.
The Sun gives Earth light and heat. Its light helps us see during the day, and its heat helps warm the land, water, and air. - 2
Circle the sentence that is true: A. The Sun is only a source of sound. B. The Sun is a source of light and heat. C. The Sun makes Earth cold.
Sentence B is true. The Sun is a source of light and heat for Earth. - 3
A student touches two rocks. One rock has been in the sunlight. The other rock has been in the shade. Which rock will probably feel warmer? Explain why.
Sunlight can warm objects it shines on.
The rock in the sunlight will probably feel warmer because it has been heated by energy from the Sun. - 4
Why do we need sunlight during the day? Write one reason.
We need sunlight during the day because it helps us see. Sunlight also helps keep Earth warm. - 5
Look at a playground on a sunny day. The slide is in the Sun, and the bench is under a tree. Which one might feel hotter, the slide or the bench?
Shade blocks some sunlight.
The slide might feel hotter because it is in direct sunlight. The bench is shaded, so it receives less sunlight and may stay cooler. - 6
Complete the sentence: A shadow forms when an object blocks ______________.
Think about what happens when you stand between the Sun and the ground.
A shadow forms when an object blocks light from the Sun or another light source. - 7
A plant is placed near a sunny window. How does the Sun help the plant?
The Sun helps the plant by giving it light. Plants use sunlight to help make their own food and grow. - 8
Which activity is a safe way to learn about the Sun? A. Stare directly at the Sun. B. Feel how warm a sidewalk is after sitting in sunlight. C. Look at the Sun through binoculars.
Protecting your eyes is very important when learning about the Sun.
Activity B is a safe way to learn about the Sun. You should never stare directly at the Sun or look at it through binoculars because it can hurt your eyes. - 9
On a sunny day, you wear a hat with a brim. How can the hat help you?
The hat can help shade your face from sunlight. It can also help keep you cooler and protect your eyes and skin. - 10
Put these in order from coolest to warmest: a sidewalk in shade, a sidewalk in sunlight, an ice cube in a cooler.
Think about which object gets heat from the Sun and which object is kept cold.
The order from coolest to warmest is an ice cube in a cooler, a sidewalk in shade, and a sidewalk in sunlight. Sunlight warms the sidewalk that it shines on. - 11
A class puts two cups of water outside. Cup A is in sunlight. Cup B is in shade. After one hour, which cup will probably be warmer? Explain your answer.
Cup A will probably be warmer because it is in sunlight. The Sun's energy can heat the water in the cup. - 12
Write one way the Sun affects the weather you feel outside.
Think about the difference between standing in sunlight and standing under clouds.
The Sun affects the weather we feel by warming the air, land, and water. A sunny day can feel warmer than a cloudy day. - 13
Explain why the Sun is important for living things on Earth.
Think about plants, animals, warmth, and daytime light.
The Sun is important because it gives Earth light and heat. Plants need sunlight to grow, and animals and people depend on plants, warmth, and daylight.