Download What Causes Climate?

Standards
Science 6.4 d Students know the sun is
the major source of energy for Earth’s
surface.
Science 6.4 e Students know
differences in pressure, heat, air
movement and humidity results in a
change in weather.
Language of the
Discipline
Climate
Leeward
Tropical zone
Monsoon
Temperate zone
Windward
Marine climate
Polar zone
Continental climate
Microclimate
Ocean current
Anticipatory Set
Let’s review the World Temperature Zones map
we drew last week.
What zone occurs between 66.5* N and 23.5* N?
What zone is located at each of the poles?
What zone does Mexico and most of Africa live
in?
Input/ Climate
Scientists used 2 factors for climate
Temperature and precipitation
These factors affect larger climate regions as
well as smaller ones.
A small area of climate is different from those
around it my have its own microclimate.
Factors Affecting
Temperature
LatitudeLongitude
Altitude- high mountains have an effect on climate
Distance from large bodies of water – Oceans or
lakes
Ocean currents
Zones
Land by the equator is warmer because the
suns rays hits Earth surface more directly.
Farther away from the equator- the suns ray is
spread out over a larger area and less warmth.
Tropical Zone – receives direct or nearly direct
sunlight all year round. Look at your maps you
drew. The green zone would be our examples of
Tropical zones.
Zones
Polar zones- suns rays strike at a lower angle
and they now have a cooler climate. Look at our
maps we drew, the polar zones are located at the
top and bottoms of our maps.
Temperate zones- in the summer the suns rays
strike these zones more directly. Winter- they
strike at a lower angle. Look at our maps, these
zones can be identified by looking at the orange
areas.
Bodies of Water
Marine Climates- mild winters and cool summers
Example: West coast of North America
Continental Climates- extreme temperatures
than marine climates. Winters are cold and
summers are warm/hot.
Example: Canada and Russia
Ocean Currents
Streams of water within the oceans that move in
regular patterns.
May flow on the surface or deep below
Currents can move heat from the tropics
towards the poles. This produces warm air. Cold
currents bring cold water and produces cold air.
Factors Affecting
Precipitation
Prevailing winds- weather patterns depend on the
movement of huge air masses. They can be warm or
cold. Water vapor in the clouds determine
precipitation. Water from near oceans/lakes carry more
precipitation.
Precipitation Factors
Presences of mountains (Sierra Nevada mountains)
Windward- side of the mountain that the wind hits first.
Leeward- side of the mountain that is in a rain shadow
(hardly rains) (Death Valley)
Warm air blows in from the ocean and is pushed up
by the mountains. As the air rises it cools and water
vapor condenses. Precipitation is then released.
Seasonal Winds
Monsoons- sea and land breezes over a large region
that change the direction with the seasons.
The air that blows is very warm and humid. It rises
over the land and cools. Clouds are formed and
creates heavy rains.
Thailand and India – receive little rain in winter
“Land Breeze” blows steadily from the land to the
ocean.
Seasons
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Tilted Axis- seasons are cased because of this
axis as Earth travels around the sun.
An imaginary line that passes between both
poles. Earth is tilted to a 23.5* angle.
When it is winter here, it is summer in Australia.
When it is summer here, it is winter is Australia.
Modeling
Let’s answer questions that relate to our text to
help create logical notes.
1. How does temperature vary in Earth’s
temperature zones?
2. List 3 things that affect precipitation
3. How might Earth’s climate be different if Earth
were not tilted on its axis?
Checking for
Understanding
List one continent that is in the polar zone
In June, what season is it in the Southern
Hemisphere?
What is a monsoon?
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Worksheet
Guided Practice # 1-3
Stop! Have your paper checked!
Independent Practice # 4-10