WEATHER, CLIMATE, & ATMOSPHERE

Earth’s Relationship with the Sun Most of the Earth’s energy comes from the Sun. This type of energy is called solar energy. Solar energy reaches Earth in two ways: Light Heat What are some ways solar energy affects things here on Earth? The clothes we wear, the homes we live in, the foods we grow & eat, and which sports we play

Earth’s Relationship with the Sun (Continued) Three different relationships between Earth and the sun control how much solar energy is received at different locations: Rotation Revolution Tilt

Rotation, Revolution, & Tilt Rotation – the Earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours. This causes night and day. Revolution – the Earth revolves around the sun every year (365 ¼ days). Tilt – the Earth is tilted 23 1/2˚. The tilt of the earth’s axis determines the amount of solar energy that different places receive during the year.

Solar Energy & Latitude Different places on Earth receive different amounts of energy. Tropics – areas near the equator receive a lot of solar energy and are warm all year. The tropics are in the low-latitudes. Polar regions – areas at the high latitudes that receive very little sun and are cold most of the time. Middle latitudes – are the areas between the polar regions and the tropics. Temperatures vary depending on the time of year.

The Seasons Season – the time of greater or lesser heat. 4 total – summer, fall, winter, and spring Summer – daytime lasts longer and the sun’s energy is stronger. Fall & Spring – daylight & darkness are equal in length and the Sun’s energy is more evenly distributed The tilt of the Earth’s axis causes the Northern & Southern hemispheres to have opposite seasons at the same time of year.

Solstice Occurs twice in a year June 21st - summer – the longest day of year December 21st - winter – the shortest day of the year Earth’s poles tilt toward or away from the sun.

EQUINOX Days and nights are equal The direct rays of the sun strike the equator. Sept 22 – Fall March 21 – spring

Difference between Weather & Climate Weather – conditions in the atmosphere from day to day. Climate – conditions in the atmosphere over a long period of time. Ex. -Tropical Rain forest

                                                                                           WEATHER MAP

Just as the weather differs from day to day, the climate differs from place to place. Seattle, WA Houston, TX Phoenix, AZ Barrow, AK Cool Warm Hot Cold Moist Moist Dry Dry CO-115.0

Just Checking 1. What is weather? 2. What is climate? 3. How are weather and climate different? Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a given place and time. Climate is the average condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time. Weather is based on an observation at a particular time. Climate is based on many observations over many years. CO-116.0

Temperature is how warm or cool the air is outside. Two important elements of weather and climate are: precipitation and temperature Precipitation includes all forms of moisture falling to the surface of the earth. (Examples: rain, sleet, snow, hail) Temperature is how warm or cool the air is outside. CO-117.0

GLOBAL CLIMATES Classified by precipitation , temperature, & vegetation LATITUDE – most influence

                                                                                          

LOW LATITUDE Desert Savanna Rainforest steppe

                                                           

                                                            

Middle Latitude Marine West Coast Humid continental Mediterranean Humid subtropical

HC – only 1 that has 4 seasons                                                             

High latitude Icecap Subarctic Tundra Highland

TUNDRA