Climate Factors and Air Movement

What happens to precipitation as one moves away from the equator?

How does temperature change with altitude?

Why are polar regions colder than areas near the equator?

What is the average drop in air temperature per 1000 meters of altitude?

What type of breeze occurs when cooler air from the sea is drawn in to replace rising warm air over land?

What drives the movement of wind?

What factor contributes to the colder temperatures and higher precipitation in mountainous regions?

What happens to air when it is heated?

Factors Affecting Temperature and Precipitation

Latitude: Precipitation decreases and temperature range increases as you move away from the equator. Temperatures decrease further from the equator due to the sun's rays spreading over a larger area. The curved shape of the Earth causes this spreading. Polar regions are colder because sunlight has a longer path to travel.
Altitude: Temperatures decrease with increasing altitude. Air temperature drops approximately 6.5°C for every 1000 meters. Higher altitudes can experience snow even in tropical regions. Precipitation tends to increase with altitude.

Air Movement and Wind

Air Density: Warm air is less dense than cold air, causing it to rise. Cold air is denser and sinks. This movement of air creates wind.
Wind Temperature: Winds carry temperatures from the areas they originate from. Warm winds raise temperatures, while cold winds lower them.
Land and Sea Breezes: Land heats and cools faster than water. During the day, warm air over land rises, drawing cooler air from the sea (sea breeze). At night, the land cools quicker, causing the air above it to sink, pulling in warmer air from the sea.

Explore the various factors affecting temperature and precipitation, including latitude and altitude. Understand how air movement and wind impact weather patterns and climate conditions. This quiz will test your knowledge on these essential concepts in environmental science.