1.  Chapter 3: Climates on the Earth

2.  Climate and Weather o Climate = Long Term o Weather = Short Term  Earth’s Tilt and Revolution determine- DIRECT SUNLIGHT!!!!!!!!!  The earth is tilted on its axis 23 ½ degrees. Causes variations in Sunlight. o Amount of sunlight effects Temperature. o Temperature effects life on earth. o Earth’s rotation effects night and day and also temperature. (Duh)

4.  The earth travels around the Sun every 365 days.  The Tilt and Revolution cause seasonal changes in light and temperature.  Season - regular differences in light and temp.

5.  Equinox- “equal night”- spring and fall.  Summer Solstice - beginning of summer- longest daylight period.  Winter Solstice - beginning of winter- shortest daylight period.  Tropic of Cancer - 23 ½ degrees North- furthest distance north that receives direct sunlight.  Tropic of Capricorn - 23 ½ degrees South- furthest distance south that receives direct sunlight.  The Poles- No direct sunlight!!!Either more or less hours of daylight, depending on the season.

6.  The earth’s atmosphere performs 2 essential functions o Shields us from most of the harmful solar radiation o Traps heat near the surface to warm the planet  Balanced/ regulated conditions. Atmospheric conditions (humidity, carbon dioxide, etc.) will determine how much heat is trapped.

7.  Some scientists believe that human activities such as burning coal, oil, and natural gas are changing the atmosphere. More heat is trapped by a “thicker” atmosphere. Global temperature rises.  Weather patterns will change- more severe storms, more evaporation. Some areas may be hotter and dryer.  FIND YOU TUBE VIDEO

8.  Five factors that determine climate  Latitude  Elevation  Wind  Bodies of Water  Landforms

9.  Distance North or South of the Equator. Determines amount of Direct Sunlight.  Low Latitude- 0 degrees to 30 degrees north or south. (Tropics) Lots of direct sun year round. o “Same” climate all year.  Mid Latitude- 30 degrees to 60 degrees. Variable amount of Direct Sunlight. 4 seasons!  High Latitude- 60 to 90 degrees. Indirect Sunlight. Cold! Also impacts hours of daylight.

10.  Height above Sea Level. Earth’s atmosphere thins as the altitude increases. (Blanket)  (3.5 degrees loss in temp. for every 1000 ft. increase) Greenhouse Effect in action.

11.  Air moving across the Earth. What causes air to move? (Pressure, Rotation)  (Warm rising Air = Low pressure.Cool falling air = High pressure.)  Warm/cold air is moved around the Earth. Wind also pushes moisture.  Wind Patterns- General pattern of air movement. (See pg. 56) Moves from hot to cold and from cold to hot.  Winds named for the direction from which they blow. Coriolis Effect- Diagonal movement of wind.

13.  Ocean currents flow through the oceans. Same factors that cause wind. (See pg. 57)  Currents affect coastal climates (Air Temp)  Large bodies of water also impact temperature. Water heats/cools slower than land. Coastal regions have a mild climate influenced by the water/air temp. Coastal regions have Milder Climates.  Water bodies also increase the humidity along coastal regions. o **Humidity means that evaporation is happening, which leads to condensation and precipitation.  El Nino- change in ocean currents which warms the water and impacts weather in the Pacific. (pg. 58)

15.  The size and shape of landforms determines wind/water movement. (See pg. 59)  Air that is pushed up a slope cools and condenses. (Precipitation on windward side)  Air moves down the other side and warms and dries as it falls. (Leeward side is dryer/warmer)  Rain Shadow- less/no rain on the Leeward side of a mountain. o *This is common of all mountain ranges, especially coastal mountains.

17.  Four Main Climate Types  Tropical  Dry  Mid-Latitude  High-Latitude  Each type is divided into smaller ones. Each climate type has its own characteristic soils and vegetation.

18.  Low latitudes with direct sunlight  Tropical Wet o 80 Degree Average o 80 Inches of Rain Average (Jungle)  Topical Dry (Savanna) o 80 Degree Average o Wet Season/Dry Season (Grassland)

19.  Little Precipitation. Found all over the earth!!  Desert: o Less than 10 inches of rain annually o 1/3 of the earth’s total land area o Little plant life  Steppe: o Bordering on many deserts o 10-20 inches of rain annually

20.  Variable weather patterns (4 Seasons)  30-60 Degrees N. or S. Seasonal patterns.  Less direct sunlight!  Variety of plants and animals.  Forests o Coniferous, Deciduous, Mixed  Grasslands

21.  No direct sunlight!!  Very cold average temperatures  Little vegetation. Short, cool summers. Long, cold winters.  Sub-arctic o South of the arctic circle o Brief summer growing season  Permafrost o Permanently frozen sub-soil o Arctic Circle – 66 Degrees  Arctic o Much colder average o Tundra – thicker permafrost o Snow/ice much of the year

22.  4 ice ages in last 2 million years.  Global Climates change slowly during Earth’s history. Cause- unclear.  Hypothesis- Sun had less output, or the earth absorbed less energy. (Volcanic activity blocked energy)  Human activity- How has man changed climate? See pg. 64Global Warming- is it real?