The Sun Gives Us Light and Warmth
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What you will learn
- 1Explain that the sun gives the Earth light and warmth
- 2Describe why the sun is essential for all living things
- 3Explain how the Earth's rotation causes day and night
Mini Lesson
Step outside on a sunny day — you can feel the warmth on your skin and see everything clearly because of a single giant ball of hot, glowing gas about 93 million miles away. That is our sun.
What the sun is
- The sun is a star — the closest star to Earth.
- It is a huge ball of hot, glowing gas that produces enormous amounts of energy.
- Example: The sun is so big that about one million Earths could fit inside it.
Light and warmth from the sun
- The sun sends out light that travels to Earth in about 8 minutes.
- That light brightens our days and helps us see the world around us.
- The sun also sends heat that warms the land, water, and air.
Why all living things need the sun
- Plants use sunlight to make food through photosynthesis — no sun means no plants.
- No plants means no food for animals — the sun is the starting point of almost every food chain.
- The sun also warms our oceans and air, driving the wind and weather.
Day and night
- The Earth spins like a top — one full spin takes 24 hours.
- When your part of the Earth faces the sun, it is day. When it turns away, it is night.
- The sun does not go around the Earth — the Earth goes around the sun and spins as it goes.
Words to know
Sun
The closest star to Earth that gives us light and warmth
e.g. The sun lights up our days.
Star
A giant ball of hot, glowing gas in space
e.g. The sun is a star.
Energy
The power that makes things work, like heat or light
e.g. Plants get energy from the sun.
Warmth
Heat that makes things feel warm
e.g. The sun gives me warmth on my face.
Day
The time when our part of Earth faces the sun
e.g. I play outside during the day.
Night
The time when our part of Earth turns away from the sun
e.g. I sleep at night.
Ask yourself: "What would happen to Earth if the sun disappeared? Would plants grow? Would we have day and night?"
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