Transcript File
Do Now Write the Questions & Answer 1. Explain how our atmosphere influences our weather and climate zones? 2. Describe the 3 reasons why Earth is unevenly heated. Aim: How does the atmosphere influence our weather & climate? Weather vs Climate • A. Weather = Day-to-day properties – Factors: Wind speed & direction, Temp, Sunlight, Pressure, Humidity • B. Climate = Constant weather patterns for over 30 yrs – Factors: Average temperature & precipitation amounts What causes weather & climate? • They are the result of the Sun unequally warming the earth (and gases above it) as well as the rotation of the Earth with global air circulation. Global Air Circulation is the Result Of: 1. Uneven solar heating 2. Rotation of the earth 3. Physical properties of air, water, & land Reasons Earth is Unevenly Heated 1. More intense rays strike the equator As this air is heated it rises and moves toward the poles 2. Earth’s axis tilts some regions toward or away from the sun – Causes more direct/intense sunlight resulting in seasons 3. Earth’s surface at the equator moves faster than the poles – Changes air motion into major prevailing winds (belts of air that distribute heat and moisture unevenly) Earth’s Climates & Wind Currents • Earth’s climate zones are directly affected by winds – Winds cause currents that help distribute heat throughout the world’s oceans What pattern do you notice? Ocean Currents, Drifts, & Upwellings • bring nutrients from the ocean bottom to the surface • Bring warm and cold water to different locations • How many oceans are there? Are they separate from each other? Thermohaline Circulation • The world has several oceans -Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic,and Southern Ocean. • Water is able to move freely between oceans. They are all connected in one global ocean. • The Global Ocean Conveyor moves water slowly, 10 cm per second at most, but it moves a lot of water. Oceans Conveyer Belt Pic: Ocean Currents Seasons • Result of revolution of the Earth around the Sun & Earth’s tilted axis by 23.5 degrees • When the No. Hemisphere tilted toward sun, it receives more direct sunlight for longer time than the So. Hem. – Northern experiencing Summer – Southern experiencing Winter Pic: Earth Rotation & Seasons North & South Poles • Because of Earth’s tilt, the North & South Poles experience one sunrise & one sunset a year • Daytime: 6 months of the year light • Night time: 6 months of the year dark Summary • What type of current runs along the east coast? How does this influence our climate?