Comprehension Check 5-8

How is the air warmed?

The lower parts of the air's molecules by Earth absorbs some of the energy from Earth's heat. As the air circulates this heat is spread throughout all of the air.

Why is it that not every place on earth receives the same amount of heat?

Because due to the Earth being tilted on it's side, the closest part to the Sun gets the most heat. The part farthest away from the Sun gets the least amount of heat.

How does uneven heating of the earth cause wind?

Warm air rises because it's less dense than the denser cold air around it, leaving spots for said cold air to fall in to. As the lower air's molecules gain heat from Earth, it becomes warmer and starts rising, and so the process repeats.

List three helpful things the wind does.

1. Allow some plants to pollinate.
2. Let wind mills run.
3. Create electrical power from wind turbines.

List three harmful effects of the wind.

1. Hurricanes.
2. Storms.
3. Tornadoes.

Why would you not want to depend on wind power for all of the electricity you need?

Because in a very dry season we could run out of stored energy, making there be no energy remaining. (My solution to this would be to have some backup way to get electricity, reserved for only when wind turbines wouldn't work.)