What Causes Climate? Section 9.1 Standards Science 6.4 d Students know the sun isthe major source of energy for Earthssurface. Science 6.4 e Students knowdifferences in pressure, heat, airmovement and humidity results in achange in weather. Language of the Discipline
Climate Leeward Tropical zone Monsoon Temperate zone Windward Marine climate Polar zone Continental climate Microclimate Ocean current Anticipatory Set Lets review the World Temperature Zones mapwe drew last week. What zone occurs between 66.5* N and 23.5* N? What zone is located at each of the poles? What zone does Mexico and most of Africa livein? Input/ Climate Scientists used 2 factors for climate
Temperature and precipitation These factors affect larger climate regions aswell as smaller ones. A small area of climate is different from thosearound it my have its own microclimate. Factors Affecting Temperature
Latitude- Longitude Altitude- high mountains have an effect on climate Distance from large bodies of water Oceans orlakes Ocean currents Zones Land by the equator is warmer because thesuns rays hits Earth surface more directly. Farther away from the equator- the suns ray isspread out over a larger area and less warmth. Tropical Zone receives direct or nearly directsunlight all year round. Look at your maps youdrew. The green zone would be our examples ofTropical zones. Zones Polar zones- suns rays strike at a lower angleand they now have a cooler climate. Look at ourmaps we drew, the polar zones are located at thetop and bottoms of our maps. Temperate zones- in the summer the suns raysstrike these zones more directly. Winter- theystrike at a lower angle. Look at our maps, thesezones can be identified by looking at the orangeareas. Bodies of Water Marine Climates- mild winters and cool summers
Example: West coast of North America Continental Climates- extreme temperaturesthan marine climates. Winters are cold andsummers are warm/hot. Example: Canada and Russia Ocean Currents Streams of water within the oceans that move inregular patterns. May flow on the surface or deep below Currents can move heat from the tropicstowards the poles. This produces warm air. Coldcurrents bring cold water and produces cold air. Factors Affecting Precipitation
Prevailing winds- weather patterns depend on themovement of huge air masses. They can be warm orcold. Water vapor in the clouds determineprecipitation. Water from near oceans/lakes carry moreprecipitation. Precipitation Factors
Presences of mountains (Sierra Nevada mountains) Windward- side of the mountain that the wind hits first. Leeward- side of the mountain that is in a rain shadow(hardly rains) (Death Valley) Warm air blows in from the ocean and is pushed upby the mountains. As the air rises it cools and watervapor condenses. Precipitation is then released. Seasonal Winds Monsoons- sea and land breezes over a large regionthat change the direction with the seasons. The air that blows is very warm and humid. It risesover the land and cools. Clouds are formed andcreates heavy rains. Thailand and India receive little rain in winter Land Breeze blows steadily from the land to theocean. Seasons Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Tilted Axis- seasons are cased because of thisaxis as Earth travels around the sun. An imaginary line that passes between bothpoles. Earth is tilted to a 23.5* angle. When it is winter here, it is summer in Australia.When it is summer here, it is winter is Australia. Modeling Lets answer questions that relate to our text tohelp create logical notes. 1. How does temperature vary in Earthstemperature zones? 2. List 3 things that affect precipitation 3. How might Earths climate be different if Earthwere not tilted on its axis? Checking for Understanding
List one continent that is in the polar zone In June, what season is it in the SouthernHemisphere? What is a monsoon? Guided Practice Independent Practice
Worksheet Guided Practice # 1-3 Stop! Have your paper checked! Independent Practice # 4-10