1.2 Variations in Air Temperature across the Earth's Surface

Question 1

Air temp variation over time in a day

Answer 1

Earth’s Rotation

Question 2

Air temp variation over time in a year

Answer 2

Earth’s Revolution

Question 3

Factors affecting temperature

Answer 3

Type / Nature of surface
Latitude
Altitude
Distance from sea

Question 4

Latitude

Answer 4

Def: Distance of any point on earth measured North/South from equator
-The further away from the equator, the lower the temp.

1) Solar Angle
- High Latitude = low solar angle = sun rays more dispersed = lower temp
- Lower Latitudes = higher solar angle = sun rays more concentrated = higher temp

2) Distance from sun
- Closer to equator = shorter distance from sun = less sun ray energy dissipated to space = warmer temp
- Further from equator = further distance from sun = more energy loss to space = cooler temp

-As latitude increases, mean annual temp decreases

Question 5

Altitude

Answer 5

• Height of place in relation to the mean sea level
• Lapse rate: 6.5c every 1000m

1) Distance from earths surface
- Shortwave radiation heats earths surface, re-emitted to atmosphere as longwave radiation
- Higher altitude = further distance from earths surface = lower temp.

2) Greenhouse gases
- Longwave radiation trapped by GHGs,
- GHGs near earths surface trap more heat
- Higher altitudes = less heated GHGs = lower temp

3) Air Densities
- Higher altitude = less dense air
- Denser air absorbs more heat from longwave radiation emitted from earths surface, temp increases
- Higher altitudes = less dense air = less heat absorbed = lower temperature

Question 6

Distance from sea

Answer 6

• Sea has higher specific heat capacity compared to land = Sea heats up and cools down at a slower rate than land

= Difference in rate of heating and cooling of sea and land affect temp of coastal and inland areas.

1) Maritime effect
- Effect large ocean bodies have on coastal climates
- Small annual temp range,
- Cooler summers, warmer winters

Summer:

• Air over sea cooler than air over land,
• land heats up quickly, sea heats up slowly,
• Cooler air over seas cool coastal regions
• Coastal areas cooler than inland areas

Winter:

• Air over sea remains warmer,
• Land cools quickly, sea cools slowly
  Warmer air over sea warms coastal areas
• Inland areas cool faster than coastal areas
• Coastal areas warmer than inland areas

2) Continental effect
- Effect continental surface has on climate of inland areas
- Large annual temp range
- Temperatures not influenced by sea
- Warmer summers and cooler winters inland.