Earth-Sun Relationships

Climate vs. Weather Weather: condition of atmosphere in 1 place during a limited time

Climate vs. weather Climate: weather patterns of an area over a long period of time

The most important factor of climate is Earth’s position in relation to the sun

Earth’s Tilt Axis: imaginary line runs from pole to pole, through center –Tilted at 23 ½ º angle –Places receive diff. amounts of light at diff. times

Earth’s Tilt Areas with direct sunlight  warmer temps. Areas with indirect sunlight  cooler temps.

Earth’s Rotation Earth rotates on its axis –One complete rotation = 24 hours –From west to east, one hemisphere at a time

Earth’s Revolution As it rotates, Earth revolves around the sun (365 days) Tilt + revolution = seasons –Changes in length of days and temp. –Reversed for N & S hemispheres

Equinoxes & Solstices Equinox: Spring and Fall –Equal days and nights Solstice: Summer and Winter –Longer day or shorter day

Equinoxes & Solstices Spring equinox  March 21- rays hit Equator directly…equal day/night Summer solstice  June 22- rays hit Tropic of Cancer (23 ½ ºN)…longest day

Equinoxes & Solstices Fall equinox  Sept. 23- rays hit Equator directly…equal day/night Winter solstice  December 22- rays hit Tropic of Capricorn (23 ½ ºS)…shortest day

Equinoxes & Solstices So if it is summer in Houston, what season is it in South Africa? If we are wearing long sleeves and jackets, what are they wearing in China?

The Poles For 6 months one pole is pointed toward sun  constant sunlight Other is pointed away  little to no sunlight “lands of the midnight sun”

The Greenhouse Effect The perfect balance must be kept: –Too much heat escapes  freeze –Too much heat is trapped  dry out

Greenhouse effect

Global warming More fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are burned  Greenhouse gases (CO2, O3, water vapor) trap more heat

Global warming Water evaporation, get more rainfall Land dries out more quickly

Factors Affecting Climate Divide your paper into 8 squares Label them the following: 1.Low Latitudes5. Wind Patterns 2.High Latitudes6. Ocean Currents 3.Mid-Latitudes7. El Niño 4.Elevation8. Landforms Use Ch. 3 Sec. 2 You will write at least 3 main points for each IN YOUR OWN WORDS! You will draw an illustration to visually explain the factor (Must be colored)