Chapter 2 Section 1

What are the two types of weathering? Focus Question What are the two types of weathering?

Weather and Climate Weather-condition of the bottom layer of earths atmosphere in one place over a short time period Weather is constantly changing Climate-weather patterns that areas typically experience Elevation, latitude, location are all factors Slow to change Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get

The Sun and the Earth Revolution The sun is the main source of the climate zones 93 million miles away Greenhouse Affect Reflection and Refraction Rotation Spinning on its axis 24 hours to complete Revolution Complete revolution around the sun 365 ¼ days to complete

Changes in Seasons Solstices Equinoxes Latitude Longitude Summer and winter solstices June 21& December 21 (longest and shortest days of the year) Equinoxes March 21 and September 21 Days are equal everywhere on earth Latitude Horizontal Longitude Vertical

Other things that impact weather Wind patterns Each latitude zone temperature and pressure combine to create a pattern of prevailing winds. Currents water of the ocean helps to distribute heat. Following convection patterns

Changes in Climate Humidity is the amount of water vapor contained in the atmosphere Precipitation is all forms of water that fall from the atmosphere onto earths surface Convectional Orographic Frontal Nearby Bodies of Water Elevation World Climate Regions page 70

Section 2

What is the difference between weather and climate? Focus Question What is the difference between weather and climate?

Ecosystems Ecosystems- formed by the interaction of plant life, animal life, and the physical environment in which they live Various physical conditions affect the survival and growth of life in ecosystems Because of interaction, change in one aspect of an ecosystem leads to other changes Biomes are used to describe major ecosystems around the world

Forest Regions Tropical Rain forests Mid Latitude Forests Areas near the equator Warm regions Great amounts of rain Keep their leaves year round Mid Latitude Forests Deciduous Shed their leaves once a year Coniferous Forests Needle leaf trees Conifers protect the seeds Other Forests Mixed forests Chaparral Evergreen shrubs

Grasslands Tropical Grasslands Temperate Grasslands Savannas Warm lands near the equator Have three seasons Herbivores live here drawing carnivores Temperate Grasslands Cooler parts of the world Differ in variety and types Parries steppes

Deserts Regions in which rainfall is limited Temperature are extreme Plants and Animals have to adapt to life with little water

Tundra Region where temperatures are always cold Alpine tundra Only specialized plants can grow here Only adapted animals can live in the climates Alpine tundra High mountains Arctic tundra Arctic Must go months without sunlight permafrost