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Social Sciences and History / Unit 10   SSH 0933 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Shortwave In, Longwave Out

Captions available

The idea

The sun drives weather and climate, generating energy by thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium. Its electromagnetic energy spans shortwave to longwave; the Earth receives shortwave radiation and emits longwave, and the balance between them sets temperature.

In practice

Precipitation needs moisture, instability, condensation nuclei.

Where people slip

The anchor's two chapters give the sun's mass share differently; neither is voiced.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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