Chapter 3: Climates of the Earth Section 3.1:Earth-Sun Relationships

Weather vs. Climate #9 pg.55, 60 Weather Climate Explain the difference Provide one example of each Describe 3 different climates

How do they differ? Weather Climate Condition of atmosphere during a short time period Temporary Ex- rainy day forecast = take umbrella today Describes weather patterns in an area for over a long time period ex- deserts have a dry climate

What determines climate? 4 main types of climate: Wet Dry Hot Cool Earth’s position in relation to sun( main factor) Sun hits different parts of the earth at different times during the day and year = different climates in different regions

Earth’s Tilt What is an Axis? The Earth’s axis is an imaginary line that goes through the center of the Earth from the north pole to the south pole. As the Earth spins on its axis it does not spin straight up and down.  The Earth is tilted on its axis about 23.5 degrees from perpendicular.   The tilt of the Earth’s axis does not change as the Earth revolves around the sun. This causes the amount of sun light that areas of the Earth receive to change during a year.  

Axis

Seasons and Sunlight Pg. 57 As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the increase or decrease of the amount of sunlight caused by the tilt of the Earth’s Axis changes the seasons for parts of the Earth. Pg. 57

Summer Sunlight You may notice that daytime is longer in the summer months and shorter in the winter month. This is because during the summer months the axis of the Earth is pointing towards the sun, and receiving more direct sunlight. During the winter months the axis is pointing away from the sun, and the sunlight is defused through the Earth’s atmosphere.  

Temperature Determines how hot or cold an area is More direct sunlight= higher temp. Temperature measures in either Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C) Temperature depends on which hemisphere of Earth is closest the sun and which side of the Earth is facing the sun. 24 hours= one complete rotation on Earths axis The amount of sunlight depends on rotation of Earth on its axis. Ex- night vs. day

Key Terms: Earth’s Revolution: The movement of the Earth around the sun. Earth’s Rotation: The movement of the Earth as it spins on its axis. Earth’s Axis: An imaginary line that runs through the earth from the North Pole to the South Pole.  

Earth’s Revolution Earth rotates on axis and orbits (goes around) the sun Sun= the closest star and brightest star in the sky A revolution – trip around the sun. It is also called a year. The Earth takes 365.25 day to revolve around the sun. It is during this year or revolution that brings Earth it’s seasons.

Rotation vs. Revolution

Seasons: Seasons reversed on both sides of equator Ex: summer in northern hemisphere= winter in southern hemisphere

Equinox Equinox= equal amount of daylight and night time in one day When the Sun’s rays fall directly on the equator March 21st= spring equinox Marks the beginning of spring– in the northern hemisphere September 22/23 = First day of fall when the earth has moved and sun rays hit the equator Known as autumnal equinox

Tropics of Cancer Tropic of Cancer: The northern most point on the earth to receive direct rays of the sun Summer solstice= first day of summer in Northern hemisphere On June 21 ( most rays) = summer solstice Longest day of sunlight

Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn December 22= winter solstice( first day of winter in northern hemisphere) When the sun strikes the tropic of Capricorn Winter solstice = shortest day of daylight

The Poles Sunlight in the north and south poles depend on which pole is tilted towards the sun For 6 months out of the year= sunlight Other 6 months= little to no light North pole= no sunset, March- September South pole= no sunset September-March A.K.A-> midnight sun

??????? What challenges might you come across living in the poles during winter months?

Greenhouse Effect Radiation: process of transmitting energy through space. Such radiation can consist of waves or particles. Atmosphere: the air or climate in a given place The earths atmosphere traps the suns warmth to ensure that living things will live in a comfortable climate

?????? Why do we need the atmosphere to trap the suns warmth?

Greenhouse Effect—cont. 50% of sun’s radiation on earth becomes infrared radiation A.K.A Heat Carbon dioxide (CO2) then absorbs the heat to create a balance Change over time- increase in population and burning of too many fossil fuels( coal, petroleum) have become trapped in the atmosphere  increase in CO2  higher temperatures global warming

Global Warming Increase in temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans If temperature continue to rise: Icebergs, glaciers and ice caps will melt leading to rise in sea level Islands could become submerged( underwater)

Global Warming The Earth is getting warmer Why?

In conclusion The Earth has two ways that it moves in space, its orbit which is called a revolution and its spin or rotation.  We learned that a revolution is equal to one year and takes about 365.25 days for Earth to complete one revolution.  The Earth also spins on an imaginary line (axis) that goes from the North Pole to the South Pole.  One spin on the Earth's axis is called a rotation.  One rotation is equal to one day and takes about 24 hours to complete.