Why Do Tropical Rainforests Grow in a Belt Around the Middle of the Earth?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do tropical rainforests grow in a belt around the middle of the Earth?

The Big Idea

Near the equator, the Sun shines almost straight down all year long. That keeps the land and sea warm, and warm air makes lots of rain. With warmth, rain, and sunlight, plants can grow nonstop, so a green belt of rainforest circles the Earth!

Straight Sunlight

Step one: straight-down sunlight. At the equator, the Sun beams almost straight down, so the light is strong and concentrated. Day and night are each about 12 hours long all year.

Rising Warm Air

Step two: warm air rises. Warm, moist air floats up, cools, and drops its water as rain. That is why the belt around the equator is so wet.

No Winter

Step three: no winter. With constant warmth, plenty of rain, and strong sunlight, plants grow all year. There is no cold season to slow them down.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! First, the Sun shines almost straight down. Then warm air rises and builds clouds. Those clouds bring rain again and again. And the plants keep growing and growing!

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Day and night are each about 12 hours long near the equator all year. The tropical rainforest belt wraps around the Earth like a green ribbon. Straight sunlight is more concentrated than slanted sunlight. Ask a grown-up to help with the flashlight.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, shine a flashlight straight at a ball. Then shine it from a slant. The straight spot is brighter and smaller. That is why the equator gets such strong sunlight.

Outro

Warmth, rain, and sunlight make a green belt around the Earth. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!