SC.6.E.7.5

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Explain how energy provided by the sun influences global patterns of atmospheric movement and the temperature differences between air, water, and land.
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 6
Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science
Idea: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning
Big Idea: Earth Systems and Patterns - The scientific theory of the evolution of Earth states that changes in our planet are driven by the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through dynamic interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, and the resources used to sustain human civilization on Earth.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes
Test Item Specifications
  • Item Type(s): This benchmark may be assessed using: MC item(s)
    • Also Assesses
    SC.6.E.7.1 Differentiate among radiation, conduction, and convection, the three mechanisms by which heat is transferred through Earth’s system.
  • Clarification :
    Students will explain how energy provided by the Sun influences global patterns of atmospheric movement and/or the temperature differences among air, water, and land.

    Students will differentiate among radiation, conduction, and convection in Earth’s systems.
  • Content Limits :
    Items may assess causes of wind and wind patterns but will not assess knowledge of the Coriolis effect.

    Items assessing radiation, conduction, and/or convection should be in the context of the atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere on Earth.
  • Stimulus Attributes :
    Temperature should be shown in degrees Celsius, followed by the equivalent degrees Fahrenheit temperature in parentheses.
  • Response Attributes :
    Temperature should be shown in degrees Celsius, followed by the equivalent degrees Fahrenheit temperature in parentheses.
  • Prior Knowledge :
    Items may require the student to apply science knowledge described in the NGSSS from lower grades. This benchmark requires prerequisite knowledge from SC.3.E.6.1.
Sample Test Items (1)
  • Test Item #: Sample Item 1
  • Question: The arrows in the picture below show several ways heat is transferred from the Sun as it strikes sand on the surface of a beach.

    which arrow shows convection?
  • Difficulty: N/A
  • Type: MC: Multiple Choice

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
2002040: M/J Comprehensive Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (current), 2022 and beyond)
2002050: M/J Comprehensive Science 1, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (current), 2022 and beyond)
2001010: M/J Earth/Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (current), 2022 and beyond)
2001020: M/J Earth/Space Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (current), 2022 and beyond)
7820015: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 and beyond (current))
2002055: M/J Comprehensive Science 1 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (current), 2022 and beyond)
7920035: Fundamental Integrated Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated))
2002200: M/J STEM Environmental Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022 (current), 2022 and beyond)

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SC.6.E.7.Pa.3: Recognize different types of weather conditions, including hot/cold, raining/not raining, and windy/calm.
SC.6.E.7.In.5: Recognize that there are general patterns of weather that move around Earth, and in North America the patterns typically move from west to east.
SC.6.E.7.Su.5: Recognize that there are patterns of weather that move.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Storm-Chasers: Weather & Climate:

In this MEA, students will use their knowledge of weather and climate to select a location for a camera crew to visit in order to get high quality video footage of severe weather such as thunderstorms, blizzards, tornadoes, or hurricanes. The decision will be made using data about important weather factors such as air pressure, humidity, temperature, wind direction, and wind speed.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

I'm Hot and You're Not! :

The students will investigate the effects of solar radiation on air, land, and oceans.

Type: Lesson Plan

Earth, Wind, and Fire?:

This lesson will develop understanding of the causes of global wind patterns and apply this understanding to hypothesize about how this motion might effect life on Earth.

Type: Lesson Plan

World Wind - A global wind overview:

By examining a model of current wind patterns in the atmosphere at different levels, students will connect the convection cycles of the atmosphere and the Coriolis effect with land and oceanic temperature differences to better understand how Florida's weather develops.

Type: Lesson Plan

An Inquiry into Albedo, Land Surface and AirTemperture:

This lesson is designed to provide a hands on inquiry on Sphere Interactions by investigating the relationship between Surface Albedo and Atmospheric Temperature. In this activity, students will develop an Argument Driven Inquiry (ADI) with the Guiding question: "What is the relationship between the land surface Albedo and Atmospheric Temperature?"

Type: Lesson Plan

POE - Solar Energy and Uneven Heating:

This POE explores the concept of uneven heating of Earth's surfaces by the sun through collecting and analyzing data and comparing results with a gallery walk.

Type: Lesson Plan

Let's Play Ball:

Students will investigate if the pitcher's mound and center field are the same temperature, since they are in the same location but have two different surfaces.

Type: Lesson Plan

Soil vs. Water: Which Gets Hotter?:

Students will set up and perform a basic experiment using beakers, soil, water, and a light source in order to compare and assess the different effects solar rays (represented by a heat lamp) have on soil as compared to water. This lab addresses a portion of Florida State Standard SC.6.E.7.5.

All recommended lab guides, tables, charts, and summative example questions are attached.

Type: Lesson Plan

Conduction, Convection, Radiation! What's the Breeze Now?:

In this lesson students will be exploring how radiant energy causes the temperature of different Earth materials to rise at different rates. Students will observe that this difference in temperature has direct effect on air movement. Students will reach to conceptual understanding of future trends.

Type: Lesson Plan

Wind, you blow me away!:

In this lesson students will observe heated air rising.  Specifically students will focus on the properties of land and water in relationship to heat and retention of heat. From this information students will conclude that the uneven heating of the earth's surface will cause the air in the atmosphere above to move.

Type: Lesson Plan

Global winds and the Coriolis Effect:

This lesson uses a variety of strategies to assist students with understanding the role the Sun plays in the formation of global winds and helps students understand how the Earth's rotation affects these global winds.

Type: Lesson Plan

Hot, Hot, Hot! Earth's Surface Heating:

Students will explore the concept of the uneven heating and cooling of Earth's surfaces by the Sun by collecting and analyzing data. Outside the classroom, students from several classes will record data points to be analyzed collectively to explore rates of heating and cooling related to time and material properties for air, water, and soil. Students will use mathematical techniques to help answer scientific questions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

The Sun Fuels Our Weather:

The Sun is integral in keeping us warm, but did you know the other ways that the Sun is essential to Earth? Learn about how the Sun is important in fueling our weather on Earth. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Text Resource

Hurricanes:

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This interactive, online text explains how a hurricane forms, what storm surge is, when hurricane season starts and ends, how hurricanes are named, and more. It has animations of storm surge and a link to a storm tracking map. The article also includes a glossary and fantastic tables and diagrams.

Type: Text Resource

Video/Audio/Animation

Earth from Orbit in 2012:

This video contains a collection of the best images of the Earth taken from space in 2012

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Storm-Chasers: Weather & Climate:

In this MEA, students will use their knowledge of weather and climate to select a location for a camera crew to visit in order to get high quality video footage of severe weather such as thunderstorms, blizzards, tornadoes, or hurricanes. The decision will be made using data about important weather factors such as air pressure, humidity, temperature, wind direction, and wind speed.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8

The Sun Fuels Our Weather:

The Sun is integral in keeping us warm, but did you know the other ways that the Sun is essential to Earth? Learn about how the Sun is important in fueling our weather on Earth. 

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

The Sun Fuels Our Weather:

The Sun is integral in keeping us warm, but did you know the other ways that the Sun is essential to Earth? Learn about how the Sun is important in fueling our weather on Earth. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.