Survey
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* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Climate Section 1 What is Climate? Explain the difference between weather and climate. Identify the factors that determine climates What is Climate? • Climate is the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time. Latitude and Climate • Latitude is the distance north or south, measured in degrees, from the equator. • How does Latitude affect Climate? • Latitude determines the amount of solar energy a particular area receives. Influences a Climate’s Temperature • The closer a location is to the equator the more direct sunlight it receives resulting in warmer temperatures. • The closer a location is to poles the less direct sunlight it receives resulting in cooler temperatures. Seasons and Latitude • Due to the Earth’s tilted axis at 23.5o, during the winter the northern hemisphere is titled away from the sun resulting in cooler temperatures, during the summer the the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun resulting in warmer temperatures. This also means the opposite is true for the southern hemisphere and its seasons. Prevailing Winds • Winds that blow mainly from one direction, influence a climate’s moisture and temperature. Winds that form and blow from water carry moist air. Winds that form and blow over land carry dry air. Geography • Mountains can affect the climate by influencing the temperature and precipitation. Elevation on mountains result in lower temperatures regardless of latitude. Mountains block the prevailing winds from blowing across a continent, changing the amount of moisture the wind carries. Ocean Currents • Surface currents are streamline movements at or near the surface of the ocean carrying either warm or cold water. How do Ocean Currents affect climates of different locations? • Surface currents carry warm or cool water to different locations. The surface temperature of the water affects the temperature of the air above it. Warm currents heat the surrounding air and cause warmer temperatures while cooler currents cause cooler air temperatures. Section Review • 1.What is the difference between weather and climate? • 2. How do Mountains affect Climate? • 3. Describe how air temperature is affected by ocean surface currents. • 4.How would seasons be different if the Earth did not tilt on its axis? • 5. Why are the poles colder than the equator? • 6. Is precipitation more likely to occur when the prevailing winds are formed from warm air or when they are formed from cold air? • 7. Why are temperatures milder in Iceland than in Greenland?