The Sun’s Energy: TEKS 8.10A
To the teacher:
• This CPO Science PowerPoint presentation is designed to guide you
through the process of presenting the lesson to your students. The
presentation uses a 5-E teaching model: Engage, Explore, Explain,
Elaborate, and Evaluate.
• The PowerPoint Slide notes indicate where you may want to bring in
various lesson elements such as quizzes, readings, investigations,
animations, and practice materials. Additional science background
information is provided in the slide notes where appropriate. You can
view these notes by selecting “View,” then “Normal.” You will see the
notes pane at the bottom of the PowerPoint workspace. Additionally,
the slide notes are available as a separate document, accessible from
the lesson home page.
• The slides that follow are intended for classroom use.
The Sun’s Energy: TEKS 8.10A
Energy from the Sun
• What does this graphic have
to do with wind and ocean
currents?
• What heat transfer process
is involved in creating wind and
ocean currents?
• Sketch how this heat transfer
process works. Use the word
density in your answer.
The Sun’s Energy: TEKS 8.10A
Time to investigate!
• Complete the lesson investigation:
– Convection in Earth’s
Atmosphere
Hawks use convection to
soar. They are lifted higher
in the sky by rising currents
of warm air.
The Sun’s Energy: TEKS 8.10A
What causes wind?
• The Sun’s energy and convection
cause wind.
• Unequal heating of the atmosphere
by the Sun creates pressure
differences. Rising, warm air in a
convection cell creates a low
pressure. Sinking, cool air creates
high pressure.
• Air moves horizontally from high to
low pressure areas. This horizontally
moving air is called wind.
The Sun’s Energy: TEKS 8.10A
What causes ocean currents?
• Surface ocean currents: Permanent global
wind patterns push water and create these
currents . Example: The Gulf Stream.
• Deep ocean currents: These currents are
driven by density differences created as the
Sun’s heat and wind increase evaporation at
the equator.
The Sun’s Energy: TEKS 8.10A
Time for Practice!
• Complete the lesson practice activity:
– Convection in Earth’s Atmosphere
The Sun’s Energy: TEKS 8.10A
Show what you know!
• Try the lesson’s interactive quiz, or complete a quiz
that your teacher can print out for you.
• Hint:
– You might want to review your lesson reading piece one
more time before trying the quiz.