click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Climate
Ch. 3 Climate
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Climate | the pattern of weather that occurs in an area over many years |
Tropics | area between 23.5 degrees N and S of the equator, the tropics receive the most direct sunlight and are hot all year |
polar zone | the climate zone that extends from 66.5 degrees N and 66.5 S latitude to the poles never warm |
temperate zone | the climate zone found between the tropics and the polar zones temperatures are moderate |
How do scientists determine the climate of a region? | they average the weather over a long time...over 30 years |
What things do scientists look at to determine the climate of a region? | average temperature, precipitation, air pressure, humidity, and number of days of sunshine |
What are some other factors that affect the climate of a region? | latitude, landforms, bodies of water, ocean currents |
How do large bodies of water affect the climate of an area? | they can absorb or give off heat causing the land area to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than other land nearby |
How do mountains affect the climate of an area? | At high altitudes, the air is thinner (less molecules). With less molecules to absorb the heat from the earth, the air is cooler than where the air is thick/denser below. |
adaptation | any structure or behavior that helps an organism survive in its environment |
The climates on earth can be classified into 6 categories. What are they? | tropical, mild, dry, continental, polar, high elevation |
What is the name of a person who studies climates? | climatologist |
hibernation | a period of greatly reduced activity in winter where an animals body temperature drops and body processes are reduced to a minimum |
estivation | an inactive state some animals go through to help them survive periods of high heat |
seasons | short periods of climatic change caused by changes in the amount of solar radiation an area receives |
Why does earth have seasons? | because the earth is tilted on its axis, causing parts of earth to be closer to the sun at different times throughout the year |
El Nino | a climatic event that involves the tropical Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere. it may occur when trade winds weaken or reverse, and can disrupt normal temperature and precipitation patterns around the world |
La Nina | the opposite of El Nino, this climatic event is when the winds blowing across the Pacific ocean are stronger than normal, causing warm water toaccumulate in the western Pacific. |
How might La Nina affect the United States? | it may cause droughts in the southern US and lots of rain to fall in the NW US |
What things can cause the climate on earth to change? | dust/ash from volcanoes, soot from large fires, car exhaust and air pollution, and changes in solar output |
greenhouse effect | a natural heating process that occurs when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat. |
global warming | an increase in earth's average temperature that has occurred over the last 100 years |
deforestation | destroying and cutting down trees |