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Topic 8: Climate
Pages (165-171)
Question | Answer |
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Define Climate: | Long term, annual atmospheric conditions described in terms of monthly average temperature and monthly precipitation. |
List the two key aspects of climate. | Temperature and Moisture. |
Explain potential evapotranspiration. | The demand for moisture by the sky. Hot temperature = high demand; Cool temperature = low demand. |
Compare an arid climate with a humid climate. | Arid = desert; humid = more precipitation with lower potential evapotranspiration. |
List the eight (8) factors affecting climate. | Latitude, Planetary wind belts (ESRT pg. 14), oceans and large bodies of water, ocean currents (ESRT pg. 4), mountain ranges, elevation, cloud cover & vegetation. |
As latitude increases away from the equator, explain what happens to temperature and humidity. | Latitude increases, temp. & humidity decreases. |
Depict the moisture conditions and pressure each 30 degrees from the Equator to the Poles. | Equator is wet and low pressure. 30 degrees North and South is dry and high pressure. 60 degrees wet and low. 90 degrees dry and high. |
Describe how large bodies of water effect coastal climate. | Air condition in the summer and heat in the winter due to specific heat differences between water and land. |
Name the prevailing winds from 30 degrees North to 60 degrees North. | South Westerly winds that affect all of the United States. Thus, all air masses are pushed East from California towards New York. |
Name the key ocean current effecting the Atlantic Ocean. | The Gulf Current, a warm current flowing from Florida to Ireland. |
Describe the two sides of a mountain, the windward vs. the leeward. | Windward is cooler and moister, leeward is hotter and drier. Compare California and Arizona. Pressure is the key factor!! |
Explain deforestation. | Humans cutting down forests and jungles to meet human demand for farm land, and urban center related needs. |
Describe the planetary wind pattern for an area with a dry climate. | Divergent at ground level, and high pressure (sinking air). |
Discuss how volcanic ash effects climate. | The ash reflects insolation back into space like a cloud top which cools the surface of the Earth below. |
How does Ozone layer depletion effect climate? | Ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation. Without this shield, the high intensity radiation strikes Earth with greater intensity which causes cancer in humans and kills/ adversely impacts all life above the surface of water. |
Can you explain the green house effect? | Build up of CO2 due to burning of fossil fuels; and Methane, both of which absorb infrared radiation. This causes an increase in air temperature. |