4-1 THE ROLE OF CLIMATE MAIN IDEAS 1.Weather 2.Climate 3.Greenhouse effect 4.Polar Zone 5.Temperate Zone 6.Tropical Zone Objective Identify the variables and 3 distinctive zones of the Earth’s Climate explaining how temperature is maintained. IaN pg. 59 Key Concepts: 1. How does the greenhouse effect maintain the biosphere’s temperature range? 2. What are the Earth’s 3 main Climate zones? 3. How are the Climate zones defined?

I. What is Climate? A.Average year to year conditions (Temp & Precipitation) in a region. B.Weather = day to day conditions.

II. The Greenhouse Effect A.Carbon dioxide, Methane, Water Vapor & other gases trap heat within the atmosphere.

III. Latitude & Climate A. Latitude (Position South to North) = 3 Climate zones due to the angle of Sunlight on the Earth’s surface.

1. Polar Zones = Very Low angle of Sunlight. Therefore cold. From 66.5 ᴏ to 90 ᴏ North & South Latitudes.

2. Temperate Zones = Between Polar & Tropics. Varying Sun angle = hot & cold. Why? Seasons.

3. Tropical Zone = From equator to 23.5 ᴏ North & South. Most direct Sunlight = Warm.

IV. Heat Transport in the Biosphere What causes wind currents to form? How does this affect the Biosphere? Top ½ IaN pg. 58

Bottom ½ IaN pg. 58 What causes Ocean currents? Explain. Describe upwelling. Where does it occur?