How the Sun powers Earth — Astronomy, 7–10 years

The Sun is more than a bright object in the sky: its energy warms Earth and helps living things grow.

The Sun is Earth’s energy source

The Sun sends light and heat across space to Earth. Plants use some of this light to make food, and that food helps animals and people live; the warmth also keeps our planet from being frozen.

Why does the Sun shine?

People needed to explain why daylight and warmth return every morning instead of being made by a lamp in the sky. Deep inside the Sun, tiny hydrogen particles join together and release enormous energy as light and heat.

Following sunlight to a plant

1. Sunlight reaches a bean plant’s leaves. 2. The leaves use light, water and carbon dioxide to make sugar. 3. The plant uses that sugar to grow roots, stems and beans. The Sun’s energy has become stored food.

The Sun is not burning like a fire

It is reasonable to call the Sun a fire because it looks hot, glows and warms us. But ordinary fire needs oxygen and uses wood, gas or another fuel; the Sun shines because of changes deep inside its very hot, dense core.

Sunlight in everyday life

Solar panels turn some sunlight into electricity for homes, schools and satellites. Sunlight also warms dark surfaces, dries clothes and helps plants grow. These uses depend on real sunlight, so panels work less well under thick clouds or at night.

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