Factors Affecting Climate
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Questions and Answers

What factors affect climate?

l.e.m.p.o.s.

What does latitude tell us?

how far north or south of the equator a place is located.

Areas in the ______ receive the most direct sunlight.

tropics

Areas near the _____ only receive indirect sunlight.

<p>poles</p> Signup and view all the answers

What angle is Earth's axis at?

<p>23.5</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens on the equinox?

<p>Day and night are equal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the date of the summer equinox?

<p>June 21st</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the date of the winter equinox?

<p>December 21st</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the greenhouse effect?

<p>Natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does longitude measure?

<p>time zones</p> Signup and view all the answers

Temperature decreases ___ degrees for every 1,000 ft.

<p>3.5</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the orographic effect?

<p>The precipitation that occurs when moist air rises up the sides of a mountain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

____ and ______ are slower to heat up and cool down than nearby landmasses.

<p>Oceans, lakes</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Coriolis effect?

<p>Causes moving air and water to turn left in the southern hemisphere and turn right in the northern hemisphere due to Earth's rotation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do hurricanes cool or warm?

<p>Landmasses they pass.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following weather phenomena:

<p>Monsoon = Seasonal winds that bring heavy rain Cyclone = A large scale air mass that rotates Typhoon = A hurricane in the northwest Pacific Hurricane = A tropical storm with a violent wind</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Factors Affecting Climate

  • Climate is influenced by several key factors including latitude, elevation, and proximity to water bodies.

Latitude

  • Latitude measures the distance north or south of the equator, crucial for understanding climate variations.

Tropics

  • The tropics receive the most direct sunlight, contributing to warmer temperatures and distinct ecosystems.

Poles

  • Areas near the poles experience primarily indirect sunlight, leading to colder climates and less biodiversity.

Earth's Axis

  • The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees, which affects seasonal changes and climate patterns.

Equinox

  • Equinoxes occur when day and night are of equal length, highlighting the balance of sunlight on Earth.

Summer Equinox

  • The summer equinox occurs on June 21st, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Winter Equinox

  • The winter equinox takes place on December 21st, noted for the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere.

Greenhouse Effect

  • The greenhouse effect is a natural process where gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the atmosphere, essential for maintaining Earth's temperature.

Time Zones

  • Time zones are determined by longitude, which helps standardize time across different regions.

Temperature Decrease

  • Temperature decreases approximately 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet in elevation.

Orographic Effect

  • The orographic effect describes precipitation patterns where moist air rises over mountains, cooling and losing moisture as rain or snow.

Bodies of Water

  • Oceans and lakes heat up and cool down more slowly than landmasses, impacting local climate patterns and weather.

Coriolis Effect

  • The Coriolis effect causes the deflection of moving air and water due to the rotation of the Earth; it turns left in the Southern Hemisphere and right in the Northern Hemisphere.

Landmasses and Temperature

  • Air masses pass over landmasses that either warm or cool them, influencing local weather conditions.

Hurricanes

  • Various storm systems such as monsoons, cyclones, and typhoons are collectively referred to as hurricanes in different regions.

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Explore the critical elements that influence the Earth's climate. Understand how latitude, elevation, and proximity to water shape weather patterns and ecosystems. Delve into concepts such as equinoxes and the Earth's axial tilt to grasp their impacts on seasonal changes.

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