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Weather and Climate
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Weather-short-term changes in the air for a given place or time
Climate-a region’s average weather conditions over a long period
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https://sites.google.com/site/climatetypes/5- causes-of-climate
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Sun and Location Energy from the sun heats the planet
Different locations receive different amounts of sunlight Due to Earth’s tilt movement and shape Earth is a sphere, its surface is rounded therefore solar rays are more direct and concentrated near the equator As a result areas near the equator are mainly hot year-round Areas near the poles are cold year-round Areas half way between the poles and equator have more seasonal change Sun and Location
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Wind and Water Global Winds
Wind, or the sideways movement of air, blows in great streams around the planet The weight of the air changes with temperature Cold air is heavier than warm air When air gets cool it sinks When air warms it rises Wind and Water
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Wind and Water Ocean Currents Large streams of surface seawater
Move heat around Earth The water temperature affects the air temperature Wind and Water
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Storms mostly occur when two air masses collide
Water Wind and Storms Storms mostly occur when two air masses collide Front is where two air masses or different temperatures or moisture contents meet They can produce rain or snow as well as severe weather, such as, tornados
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They can create wet and dry areas
Mountains Can influence an area’s climate by affecting temperatures and precipitations Many high mountains are located in warm areas but have snow on the very top-temperatures decrease with elevation They can create wet and dry areas By forcing air that blows against it to rise The air rises and cools and precipitation falls, leaving one side of the mountain green and lush
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Climate Zones Around the World
The Big Idea Earth’s five major climate zones are identified by temperature, precipitation, and plant life
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Climates around the World
Tropical Temperate Polar Humid Tropical Mediterranean Subarctic Tropical Savanna Humid Subtropical Tundra Ice cap Dry Marine West Coast Highland Desert Humid Continental Steppe Climates around the World
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Main Idea 2: Tropical climates are wet and warm, while dry climates receive little or no rain.
Humid Tropical Climate At the equator Warm, muggy and rainy year-round Temperatures average 80F. Rainfall ranges from 70 to 450 inches. Some areas have monsoons, seasonal winds that bring either dry or moist air. Can support lush tropical rain forests that host a great diversity of plant and animal life Tropical Savanna Climate North and south away from the equator Long, hot, dry season followed by short periods of rain Temperatures are hot in the summer, cooler in the winter. Can support savannas—areas of tall grasses and scattered trees and shrubs
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Dry Climates Desert Climate Steppe Climate
Earth’s hottest and driest climate Receive less than 10 inches of rain a year Temperatures can reach as high as 130F. Only very hardy plants and animals can live in these conditions. Steppe Climate Semidry grasslands or prairies—called steppes Often border deserts Receive slightly more rain than deserts Short grasses are most common plants, but shrubs and trees grow along streams and rivers.
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Main Idea 3: Temperate climates have the most seasonal change.
Mild and tend to have four seasons Warm or hot summers Cool or cold winters Occur in the middle latitudes, the regions halfway between the equator and the poles
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Temperate Climates Mediterranean Humid Subtropical Marine West Coast
Sunny, pleasant climate occurring mainly in coastal areas Summers hot, dry, and sunny; winters mild and somewhat wet Humid Subtropical Occurs along east coasts near the tropics Summers are hot and muggy; winters are mild Storms occur year-round. Marine West Coast Occurs on west coasts where winds carry moisture in from the seas Mild temperatures year-round Humid Continental Occurs closer to the poles, in the upper-middle latitudes Four distinct seasons Next
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Main Idea 4: Polar climates are cold and dry, while highland climates change with elevation.
Subarctic Climate Occurs mainly in Northern hemisphere south of Arctic Ocean Winters are long and bitterly cold; summers short and cool Below freezing half the year Tundra Climate Coastal areas along the Arctic Ocean Long, bitterly cold winters In some parts is permafrost, or permanently frozen layers of soil Ice Cap Climate North and South poles Temperature lows of more than -120F Snow and ice remain year-round, but little precipitation Highland Climate Found on mountains Includes polar climates plus others; several climates in one As you go up a mountain, temperatures drop and plant life grows sparser. Next
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Climates around the World
CiU Climates around the World
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Natural Resources Main Ideas
Earth provides valuable resources for our use. Energy resources provide fuel, heat, and electricity. Mineral resources include metals, rocks, and salt. Resources shape people’s lives and countries’ wealth. Natural Resources
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Using Natural Resources
A natural resource is any material in nature that people use and value. Some are used as is. Some are changed to make something new Using Natural Resources
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Types of Natural Resources
Renewable resources are resources Earth replaces naturally. Nonrenewable resources are resources that cannot be replaced; they will run out one day. Types of Natural Resources
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Nonrenewable Energy Resources
Most energy we use comes from fossil fuels, nonrenewable resources that formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Coal—pollutes the air; used mainly to create electricity at power plants Petroleum, or oil—used to make fuels and other products Natural gas—cleanest-burning fossil fuel; used mainly for heating and cooking Nonrenewable Energy Resources
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Renewable Energy Resources
Will not run out Generally better for the environment Hydroelectric power—the production of electricity from waterpower—is the main alternative to fossil fuels. Wind is used to power wind turbines that create electricity. Solar power and geothermal energy—heat from within Earth— can heat water for homes and be turned into electricity Renewable Energy Resources
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Managing Natural Resources
People must manage resources to ensure they will be available in the future. Deforestation, the clearing of trees, is a result of lack of management. Reforestation, planting trees to replace lost forestland, works to prevent resource loss. Managing Natural Resources
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Nuclear Energy Obtained by splitting atoms, small particles of matter
Uses the metal uranium, so some consider it a nonrenewable resource Produces dangerous wastes that must be stored for thousands of years before they are safe Accidents at nuclear power plants have terrible effects. Nuclear Energy
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Resources Affect Peoples Lives
The natural resources available to people affect their lifestyles and needs. People in areas with many natural resources sometimes have more choices on ways to dress, eat, live, travel, and entertain themselves. People in areas with fewer natural resources will likely have fewer choices and different needs. Availability of natural resources affects countries’ economies. The many resources available in the United States have helped it become one of the world’s wealthiest economies. Countries with few natural resources often have weak economies. Some countries have only one or two valuable resources but few others. Resources Affect Peoples Lives
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