Climate Chapter 25. Climate – the average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time...

ClimateClimateChapter 25Chapter 25

•Climate – the average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time–But weather is the day to day conditions

Climate you expect and weather is what you get

SC.912.E.7.4 Summarize the conditions that contribute to the climate of an area, including relationships to lakes and oceans.SC.912.E.7.7 Identify, analyze, and relate the internal (Earth) and external (space) conditions that contribute to global climate changes.SC.e.7.8 Explain how various atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic conditions in Florida have influenced human behavior, both individually and collectively.SC.e.7.9 Cite evidence that the ocean has had a significant influence on climate changes by absorbing, storing, and moving heat, carbon and water.

Questions:

Compare and contrast weather and climate.

An Areas Climate – Based on:

•Average temperature •Average precipitation


Questions:

What two factors are included in climate?

Factors that influence climate

– Latitude– Earth’s tilt– Earth’s revolution around the sun– Topography

• Oceans present• Altitude• Wind present• Ice/glaciers present


Questions:

Explain how various factors influence climate.

Latitude– Different latitudes receive

different intensities of solar energy•Equator – direct and strong•Poles – large angle so weak

– This amount of solar energy effects the:•Temperature•Precipitation•Wind patterns


Questions:


Earth’s axis:– Earth is tilted and spins on an axis– The tilt determines the part of the

Earth that faces the sun– Winter – Earth is pointing away

so angle is greater (rays are weaker) also there are less hours on light

– Summer – Earth is pointing toward so angle is less (rays are stronger) also we have more hours

– As it spins it wobbles which causes different amounts of solar radiation to reach each part of the Earth


Questions


Wind and Ocean patterns– Difference in temperature,

pressure, and density cause wind and ocean currents

– Remember:• Cold is denser and has higher

pressure - So cold air and water at poles moves down toward equator

• Warm is less dense and has a lower pressure so warmer air and water at equator moves up toward the poles


Questions:


Topography– Topography - surface features of

the Earth• Each type of feature absorbs and

reflects different amounts of energy– Based on color, texture, and composition

• These different rates of absorption and release of energy affect the climate in the area


Questions:


Topography– Elevation

• Higher up = colder• A mountain has rain on one side and a

drought on the other (called rain shadow)

– Closer to water• Land absorbs and releases heat faster

than ocean – larger temperature difference

• Near oceans - more moderate temperatures and more precipitation


Questions:


http://www.teachersdomain.org/ext/ess05_int_climatezones/index.html

Climate zones– There are three climate

zones each with its own characteristics

– Three zones:•Tropical•Middle latitude/Temperate•Polar


Questions:


Tropical zones:– Characteristics

• Hot yearly – Types:

•Tropical rain forest - dry•Tropical desert - rainy•Savanna =wet seasons


Questions:


Tropical Rainforest

Tropical desert

Savanna

Temperate latitude climates:

– Characteristics• Temperatures, rain and vegetation

vary based on location• Temperature:

– Depends where equator location

• Precipitation: – Depends on water locations


Questions:


Temperate forest

Polar climates:– Characteristics

• Temperatures are at or below freezing

– Types:• Subarctic

– Largest temperature difference• Tundra• Polar ice caps

– Mostly ice, never above freezing


Questions:


Polar ice caps

Tundra

Subarctic

•Local climates– Microclimates – climate

of small areas•Ex. Cities


Questions:


•Studying climate– Climatologist – scientists who

gather data to study past and present climate to find patterns

– Types of data collected• Ice cores• Sea floor sediment • Fossils• Tree rings


Questions:

Explain the various methods used to study climate

Climate models– Use computers to simulate

factors of climate to see affects of various climate conditions


Questions:

Explain the various methods used to study climate

Causes of climate change

– Plate tectonics– Orbital changes– Human activity– Volcanic activity


Questions:

Explain how various factors cause climate change.

Plate tectonics:– Changing continent

location can change:•Wind and currents

– These effect temperature and precipitation


Questions:


Orbital changes:– The shape of Earth’s orbit

•Effect the distance from the sun (temp. affected)

– The wobble on Earth’s axis can cause change•Change in tilt change angle toward (temp. and season changes)


Questions:


Human activity:– Pollution

•Cause global warming– Deforestation

•Increases carbon dioxide and thus cause global warming


Questions:


Volcanic activity:– Sulfur and ash collect in the

air and block solar radiation – This decreases temp.


Questions:


Impacts of climate change– Changes in one thing affects all because

they are connected– Types of impacts:

• Global warming– Due to pollution– Cause droughts and its problems

• Sea level changes– Melting icecaps raise water

flooding places• Precipitation changes

– Affect all living organisms


Questions:

What are some impacts of climate changes?

What can we do:–Laws–Alternative energy–Reduce, reuse, recycle–Better cars and maintenance


Questions:

What can we do to limit climate changes?

Climate Chapter 25. Climate – the average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time...

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