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Read About Sunlight

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scientist explains sunlight to kids in the desert
DEFINITION OF SUNLIGHT

Light from the sun is called sunlight and it shines down on the Earth’s surface. Sunlight causes the Earth’s surface to heat up. Some things heat up faster than others. In some places the ground can get so hot you can cook an egg on it!

To better understand how sunlight warms the Earth…

DEFINITION OF SUNLIGHT. Light from the sun is called sunlight and it shines down on the Earth’s surface. Sunlight causes the Earth’s surface to heat up. Some things heat up faster than others. In some places the ground can get so hot you can cook an egg on it! To better understand how sunlight warms the Earth…

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

Sunlight causes things to melt.

scientist observes a Popsicle melting in the sun

Melting is when a solid changes into a liquid. Sunlight can speed up the melting process of things like a popsicle.

Sunlight causes things to melt. Melting is when a solid changes into a liquid. Sunlight can speed up the melting process of things like a popsicle.
scientist observes a Popsicle melting in the sun

Sunlight causes Earth’s surfaces to heat up.

egg is cooked on a piece of metal

Sunlight can cause some surfaces to heat up to very high temperatures. Some surfaces can get hot enough to fry an egg.

Sunlight causes Earth’s surfaces to heat up. Sunlight can cause some surfaces to heat up to very high temperatures. Some surfaces can get hot enough to fry an egg.
egg is cooked on a piece of metal

Thermometers are useful scientific tools.

temperate of various materials in the sun are compared

A thermometer is a tool that can measure how hot something is. We can find the temperature of something by reading a thermometer.

Thermometers are useful scientific tools. A thermometer is a tool that can measure how hot something is. We can find the temperature of something by reading a thermometer.
temperate of various materials in the sun are compared

Different materials can provide shade.

curtains plants and tents are shown blocking sunlight

We can use different materials to make shade. A curtain, a tent or even a plant can provide shade from the sun.

Different materials can provide shade. We can use different materials to make shade. A curtain, a tent or even a plant can provide shade from the sun.
curtains plants and tents are shown blocking sunlight

Some materials provide more shade than others.

scientist demonstrates how some materials block more sunlight than others

A window does not provide as much shade as a piece of wood. Materials that are more see through are not as good at providing shade as solid materials.

Some materials provide more shade than others. A window does not provide as much shade as a piece of wood. Materials that are more see through are not as good at providing shade as solid materials.
scientist demonstrates how some materials block more sunlight than others

SUNLIGHT VOCABULARY

Sunlight
Light that comes from the sun and warms the earth.
Heat
To warm something up.
Shade
Reduces warming caused by the sun.
Thermometer
A tool used to measure temperature.
Temperature
How hot or cold something is.
Melting
When something changes from a solid to a liquid.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SUNLIGHT

How can you slow down the melting of a popsicle?

You can move to a shady area, so that the sunlight can’t heat up the popsicle.

Why is it possible to cook an egg on a solid surface in the desert?

Sunlight heats up the surface to make it hot enough to cook an egg.

How can you prove that different materials heat up differently with sunlight?

You can use a thermometer to measure the temperature of different materials over time.

What kinds of shade are better than others?

Thicker things and things that are not see through are better sources of shade. For example, a curtain provides more shade than a window.

Why does an ice cube in a box melt slower than an ice cube outside of the box?

The ice cube in the box has shade. This slows down the melting process.

What are some different kinds of surfaces found on the Earth?

The Earth has many surfaces such as water, grass, sand, soil and snow.
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