enhanced science module

• Weather

  It generally refers to the day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity in the atmosphere.
• Climate

  It is the average of all the weather conditions of an area over a long period of time.
• LATITUDE

  • It is the distance (in degrees) to the NORTH and SOUTH from the EQUATOR.
• LATITUDE

  It is an imaginary line that is parallel to the equator
• Polar Zone

  Very cold and dry. Most precipitation falls as snow. Glaciers may form.
• Temperature Zone

  Moderate temperatures, four season
• Tropics

  Near the equator; has most direct sunlight; very warm and usually raining
• How much is the tilt of the Earth's axis?

  23.5
• Which part of the Earth receives most of the sun's rays?

  Equator
• Why does the amount of heat receive by places far from the equator become less?

  It is due to the tilting of the earth's axis and the shape of the earth
• Why are the coldest places on earth found near the poles?

  They receive less amount of heat
• Why are places with high temperatures found at the equator?

  Due to the tilting of the earth's axis, places near the equator receive more heat making air temperature higher.
• How does latitude affect climate?

  When the area is farther from the equator,the air temperature is lower resulting in a cold climate. When the place is closer to the equator, the air temperature is higher which results in a warm climate.
• As the latitude increases, the smaller the angle of the sun's rays strike the surface.
• Latitude

  It is the distance from the equator determines how much sunlight a region receives.
• Altitude

  It is the height above sea level
• Temperature decreases as the altitude increases
• Why does the temperature generally decrease as you climb higher in altitude?

  The air is less dense at higher altitude, holding less heat.
• BODIES OF WATER

  Land heats and cools faster than sea. Coastal areas have lower temperatures than inland areas.
• Places that are far from the bodies of water have extreme climates
• TOPOGRAPHY

  refers to the natural features or arrangement of an area like land

  
• Windward

  Has more rain than the leeward side
• Mountains can blick wind patterns and create rain shadows on the leeward side
• Ocean currents that bring along cold water to inland make the climate cold. On the other hand, ocean currents that take along warm water to coastal areas make the climate warm
• What are the factors that affect climate?

  Latitude, Altitude, Ocean Currents, Topography, Bodies of Water
• Both volcanic eruptions and variations in earth's orbit can cause temporary climate change. However, their effects differ. What is the difference?

  Volcanic eruptions cool the planet by reflecting sunlight, while orbital variations trap more heat
• Scientists link greenhouse gases to rising global temperature through the greenhouse effect. What does this mean?

  Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit heat energy, warming the atmosphere.
• El Nino disrupts weather patters by causing warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific. How does this phenomenon lead to both droughts and floods in different regions?

  Warmer Pacific waters weaken trade winds, leading to less precipitation in some areas and increased rainfall in others
• Mitigation and adaptation are two key strategies for addressing climate change. Mitigation focuses on:

  Investing in renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
• What are the elements of climate?

  Temparature, humidity, rainfall or precipitation
• Rainy Season

  June-November
• Dry Season

  December-May
• Cool Dry Season

  December-February
• Hot Dry Season

  March-May
• As latitude increases, temperature decreases
• The higher the area, the colder the temperature
• Air temperature decreases as the altitude increases
• Less dense air cannot absorb much heat, making air temperature decrease
• The decrease in air temperature is due to the decrease in air pressure
• The further you are from the earth's surface and its gravitational forces, the less gravity you will experience. It allows the particles in the air to expand, which reduces the air pressure even further