Questions and Answers
Define climate.
Describes the long-term conditions of a location.
Define weather.
Describes the short-term (day-to-day) conditions of a region.
How does weather change?
Weather changes minute-to-minute or hour-to-hour.
How does climate change?
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Why does climate change?
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What is the main difference between climate and weather?
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What are some similarities between weather and climate?
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Define latitude.
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How is latitude measured?
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Define equator.
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How are lines above the equator measured?
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How are lines below the equator measured?
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Where is the Tropic of Cancer?
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Where is the Tropic of Capricorn?
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Where is the Arctic Circle?
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Where is the Antarctic Circle?
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Why does climate vary with latitude?
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Why is it warmer near the Tropics?
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Why is it colder near the poles (Arctic/Antarctic)?
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What are the three major climate types that exist on Earth?
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Where are Tropical climates located?
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Describe a Tropical climate.
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Where are Temperate climates located?
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Describe a Temperate climate.
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Where are Polar/Arctic climates located?
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Describe a Polar/Arctic climate.
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Study Notes
Climate vs. Weather
- Climate refers to long-term atmospheric conditions in a specific location.
- Weather concerns short-term atmospheric conditions, varying from day to day.
- Weather can change rapidly, shifting from sunny to rainy within hours.
- Climate changes gradually with seasons and over extended periods.
Differences between Climate and Weather
- Time is the primary distinction: climate is long-term, while weather is short-term.
- Both climate and weather describe a region's temperature, precipitation, wind, and sunlight.
Latitude
- Latitude measures distance north or south from the equator, ranging from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles.
- Lines above the equator are designated in degrees North; the North Pole is at 90°N.
- Lines below the equator are designated in degrees South; the South Pole is at 90°S.
Key Latitudinal Lines
- The Equator is an imaginary line at 0° latitude.
- The Tropic of Cancer is located at 23.5°N.
- The Tropic of Capricorn is located at 23.5°S.
- The Arctic Circle is positioned at 66.5°N.
- The Antarctic Circle is situated at 66.5°S.
Climate Variation with Latitude
- Climate differs with latitude due to sunlight angles; equatorial regions receive direct sunlight, leading to warmer temperatures.
- Near the Tropics, the sun shines directly overhead, ensuring warmer climates year-round.
- Polar regions receive sunlight at an indirect angle, resulting in colder temperatures.
Major Climate Types on Earth
- Three primary climate types: Tropical, Temperate, and Polar/Arctic.
Tropical Climate
- Found at low latitudes between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
- Characterized by consistently high temperatures due to direct sunlight year-round.
- Typically features two seasons: a wet winter and a dry summer, with significant precipitation changes.
Temperate Climate
- Located at mid-latitudes, between 23.5°N and 66.5°N, and 23.5°S and 66.5°S.
- Transitional climate between tropical and polar zones, experiencing four distinct seasons.
- Temperature and precipitation vary throughout the year.
Polar/Arctic Climate
- Situated at high latitudes, above the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.
- Constantly cold temperatures, with minimal warming.
- These regions receive very little solar radiation and precipitation.
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Description
Explore the fundamental differences between climate and weather with these flashcards. Learn definitions, how each varies over time, and their characteristics. Ideal for students studying Earth Science or related topics.
