Simplified Model of Cloud Effects on Energy Budget
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Provided by: My NASA Data|Published on: May 1, 2025
Activity - ClassroomScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this activity from My NASA Data, students will understand how a cloud's height impacts how much radiation is reflected and absorbed.
- Students will answer the provided questions to interpret a graphic image that illustrates this connection.
Subjects: Physics, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: My NASA Data
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This brief activity requires very little class time and prep work to implement.
- The provided questions provide a helpful framework for analyzing the graphic.
Prerequisites
- Teachers need to submit the Teacher Key Request and Verification Form to receive an answer key.
- Students should understand solar radiation and that it can be absorbed or reflected.
- This video (linked at the bottom) can be used to introduce students to the concepts prior to looking at the graphic.
Differentiation & Implementation
- This activity can introduce the concept of geoengineering, particularly the engineering of clouds, as a proposed solution to climate change.
- Advanced students can first interpret the graphic without having the questions to consider, simply asking what they notice and what they think it means. Then, after a period of time, teachers can provide students with the questions, asking them to answer those they haven't already addressed in their initial analysis.
- Teachers can pair this activity with this video about clouds, the different types, and how they absorb or reflect radiation.
- There are mini lessons linked at the bottom of the page for extensions.
This mini-lesson explores how clouds impact the incoming and outgoing energy on the Earth. The Earth's energy budget is an essential fundamental concept that is needed to understand what global warming is and why it is happening. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
My NASA Data
NASA offers petabytes of global Earth science data collected from satellites, but accessing these data in a traditional (or virtual) science classroom can be tricky. Since 2004, My NASA Data has supported students and teachers of grades 3-12 in analyzing and interpreting NASA mission data.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
