Earth’s Physical Geography Chapter 2

Lesson 1 Objectives Learn about Earth’s movement in relation to the sun. Explore seasons and latitude.

Earth and the Sun Earth, the sun, the planets, and the stars in the sky are part of a galaxy, or family of stars. Our galaxy is the Milky Way Earth orbits around the sun. The path one body makes as it circles around another. It takes 365 ¼ days to complete one revolution. A circular motion.

Understanding Days and Nights The Earth also turns around an axis. An imaginary line running through Earth between the North and South poles. Each rotation, or complete turn, takes about 24 hours.

Time Zones The Earth is divided into 24 times zones. Time zones are one hour apart. The sun rises in the east, so the day starts earlier in the east.

Seasons and Latitude Spring equinox Summer solstice Autumnal equinox March 21 Sun is directly over the Equator Summer solstice June 21 Sun directly over the Tropic of Cancer Autumnal equinox September 23 Sun directly over the Equator Winter solstice December 21 Sun directly over the Tropic of Capricorn

The Revolution of Earth

Latitudes Low latitudes Middle latitudes High latitudes Areas between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn Middle latitudes Areas between the low latitudes and high latitudes Also called temperate zones High latitudes Areas above the Arctic Circle and below the Antarctic Circle Also called polar zones

Lesson 1 Objectives Learn about Earth’s movement in relation to the sun. Explore seasons and latitude.

ASSIGNMENT!!!

Lesson 2 Objectives Learn about the planet Earth. Explore the forces inside Earth. Explore the forces on Earth’s surface.

What Is Earth Made Of? The Core The Mantle The Crust A sphere of very hot metal at the center of Earth The Mantle A thick, hot, rocky layer around the core The Crust The thin layer of rock and minerals that surrounds the mantle

Water and Air Air Water Oxygen to people and animals Carbon dioxide to plants Water Covers 70% of the Earth’s surface 97% of water is salt water 3% is fresh water

Forces Inside Earth Volcanoes Earthquakes Intense heat causes rock to rise toward the surface Magma Soft, nearly molten rock Earthquakes When two plates push together, the crust cracks and splinters from the pressure Plates Huge blocks of Earth’s crust

Forces on Earth’s Surface Weathering A process that breaks rocks down into tiny pieces Caused by water, ice, and living things Erosion The removal of small pieces of rock Caused by water, ice, and wind

Lesson 2 Objectives Learn about the planet Earth. Explore the forces inside Earth. Explore the forces on Earth’s surface.

ASSIGNMENT!!!

Lesson 3 Objectives Learn about weather and climate. Explore latitude, landforms, and precipitation. Discover how oceans affect climate.

Weather or Climate? Weather Climate Condition of the air and sky from day to day What people see from day to day Climate The average weather over many years What usually happens from year to year

Weather Weather is mainly measure by two things: Precipitation Water that falls to the ground as rain, sleet, hail, or snow Temperature How hot or cold the air is

Why Climates Vary Climate depends on location Places in the low latitudes have hot climates because they get direct sunlight. Places in the high latitudes have cold climates because their sunlight is indirect. Mountains also affect climates.

Oceans and Currents

Cooling and Warming Effects Water takes longer to heat or cool than land. In summer, a region near an ocean or lake will be cool than an inland area. In the winter, places near lakes and oceans are warmer than inland areas

Raging Storms Tropical cyclones Hurricanes Tornadoes Blizzards Intense wind and rain storms that form over oceans in the tropics Hurricanes Tropical storms that form over the Atlantic Ocean Tornadoes Blizzards

Lesson 3 Objectives Learn about weather and climate. Explore latitude, landforms, and precipitation. Discover how oceans affect climate.

ASSIGNMENT!!!

Lesson 4 Objectives Investigate the relationship between climate and vegetation. Explore Earth’s vegetation regions. Study vertical climate zones.

Climate and Vegetation Five broad types of climates: Tropical Dry Temperate marine Temperate continental Polar Based on vegetation Plants that grow in a region

Climates Tropical Dry Temperate Continental Temperate Marine Polar Tropical wet – year-round rainfall Tropical dry – one rainy season, one dry season Dry Very hot summers, mild winters, very little rain Temperate Continental Summers are hot, winters can be very cold Temperate Marine Mediterranean Marine west coast Humid subtropical Polar Cold all year long Tundra – an area near the Arctic Circle with cold climate and low-lying vegetation

Earth’s Vegetation Regions Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Savanna Desert Desert Scrub Mediterranean Vegetation Temperate Grassland Deciduous Forest Coniferous and Mixed Forest Tundra Highland Ice Cap and Pack Ice

Vertical Climate Zones Mountains have vertical climate zones Climate and vegetation depend on elevation. The higher you go, the colder it gets. The higher you go, the less vegetation you see.

Lesson 4 Objectives Investigate the relationship between climate and vegetation. Explore Earth’s vegetation regions. Study vertical climate zones.

ASSIGNMENT!!!