What is the primary source of energy for the Earth?

The primary source of energy for the Earth is the sun. Solar energy is fundamental because it drives processes essential for life and influences climate patterns. It fuels photosynthesis in plants, which is the foundation of the food chain, and it helps in regulating temperatures on the planet.

Geothermal energy is a source of energy derived from the heat of the Earth, but it is not the primary source of energy; it accounts for a smaller portion of the energy available. The moon, while having an influence on ocean tides and some ecological processes, does not provide energy to the Earth in the way that the sun does. Fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas, are secondary energy sources that are derived from ancient biological materials and ultimately trace back to solar energy captured by plants millions of years ago. Therefore, while fossil fuels are significant for human energy consumption, they originate from the sun’s energy that was stored over time.