1. Unit 6

2.  Climate – the average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time  Weather is the day to day conditions *Climate you expect and weather is what you get*

3.  Climate of an Area is based on 2 things… Average temperature Average precipitation

4. Factors that influence climate Latitude Earth’s tilt Earth’s revolution around the sun Topography  Oceans present  Altitude  Wind present  Ice/glaciers present

5. Latitude Different latitudes receive different intensities of solar energy  Equator – direct and strong  Poles – large angle so weak This amount of solar energy effects the:  Temperature  Precipitation  Wind patterns

7. Earth’s axis: Earth is tilted and spins on an axis The tilt determines the part of the Earth that faces the sun  Winter – Earth is pointing away so angle is greater (rays are weaker) also there are less hours on light  Summer – Earth is pointing toward so angle is less (rays are stronger) also we have more hours As it spins it wobbles which causes different amounts of solar radiation to reach each part of the Earth

9. Wind and Ocean patterns **Difference in temperature, pressure, and density cause wind and ocean currents** Remember: Cold is denser and has higher pressure - So cold air and water at poles moves down toward equator Warm is less dense and has a lower pressure so warmer air and water at equator moves up toward the poles

10. Topography Topography - surface features of the Earth Each type of feature absorbs and reflects different amounts of energy Based on color, texture, and composition These different rates of absorption and release of energy affect the climate in the area

12. –Elevation Higher up = colder A mountain has rain on one side and a drought on the other (called rain shadow) –Closer to water Land absorbs and releases heat faster than ocean – larger temperature difference Near oceans - more moderate temperatures and more precipitation

14. Climate zones There are three climate zones each with its own characteristics Three zones: Tropical Middle latitude/Temperate Polar

16. Tropical zones: Characteristics Hot yearly Types: Tropical rain forest - rainy Tropical desert - dry Savanna =wet seasons

20. Temperate latitude climates: Characteristics Temperatures, rain and vegetation vary based on location Temperature: Depends where equator location Precipitation: Depends on water locations

22. Polar climates: Characteristics Temperatures are at or below freezing Types: Subarctic Largest temperature difference Tundra Polar ice caps Mostly ice, never above freezing

28. Local climates Microclimates – climate of small areas Ex. Cities Studying climate Climatologist – scientists who gather data to study past and present climate to find patterns Types of data collected Ice cores Sea floor sediment Fossils Tree rings Ice Core Sampling

29. Climate models Use computers to simulate factors of climate to see affects of various climate conditions

30. Causes of climate change Plate tectonics Orbital changes Human activity Volcanic activity

31. Plate tectonics: Changing continent location can change: Wind and currents These effect temperature and precipitation

32. Orbital changes: The shape of Earth’s orbit Effect the distance from the sun (temp. affected) The wobble on Earth’s axis can cause change Change in tilt change angle toward (temp. and season changes)

33. Human activity: Pollution Cause global warming Deforestation Increases carbon dioxide and thus cause global warming

34. Volcanic activity: Sulfur and ash collect in the air and block solar radiation This decreases temp.

35. Impacts of climate change Changes in one thing affects all because they are connected Types of impacts: Global warming Due to pollution Cause droughts and its problems Sea level changes Melting icecaps raise water flooding places Precipitation changes Affect all living organisms

37. What can we do: Laws Alternative energy Reduce, reuse, recycle Better cars and maintenance

39. According to the graph below, what wavelength of energy does the Earth receive in the greatest intensity?

40. Name the primary gas which absorbs ultraviolet (UV) from the sun.

41. Name the three primary gases which absorb infrared (IR) energy

42. Why is the ozone layer important? It protects the Earth from UV which damages crops and causes cancer in humans.

43. Why is it warmer on a cloudy night than on a clear night? Clouds (H 2 O vapor) absorb IR energy radiated by the Earth. On a clear night, the IR energy escapes back into space.

44. Explain the greenhouse effect. Include a diagram which shows the change in wavelength.

45. Just like a greenhouse, the gases in the atmosphere ---especially CO 2 --- absorb re-radiated infrared energy.

49. Ice Ages are cyclic. The last one occurred ~12,000 years ago The exact cause of what triggers an ice age is not known

51. El Niño A warming of the Pacific Ocean. Winters: West = Stormy South = Cold, wet Northeast = warmer El Niño A warming of the Pacific Ocean. Winters: West = Stormy South = Cold, wet Northeast = warmer

54. La Niña A cooling of the Pacific Ocean. Dry in southeast. Cool, wet in northwest. La Niña A cooling of the Pacific Ocean. Dry in southeast. Cool, wet in northwest.

56. Average global temperatures are increasing. Glaciers are melting. Ocean levels are rising. Warming is natural. Humans are speeding up the process through increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO 2 )

61. Mountain Glaciers