7.2 Climate Patterns

Question 1

4 major influences of climate

Answer 1

amount of sun energy reaching Earth’s surface, abilities of water and land heat absorption, tilt of Earth’s axis, features on land

Question 2

how does the amount of energy entering Earth’s surface, affect climate?

Answer 2

temperatures drop the further an area is from the equator- due to the Earth’s curvature

Question 3

how do the differing abilities of land and water absorption affect climate?

Answer 3

land takes less energy to absorb temperatures in comparison to water- land heats and cools quicker, therefore affecting the climate in certain areas

Question 4

how does the tilt of the Earth’s axis affect the climate?

Answer 4

angle of tilt determines which area receives the most sunlight

Question 5

how do features on land affect the climate?

Answer 5

increase in altitude of a land mass makes a cooler climate- also creates thinner air, making it less able to absorb and retain heat

Question 6

ocean currents

Answer 6

motion of the ocean

Question 7

what are the main sources of ocean currents?

Answer 7

wind, tides, changes in water density and rotation of Earth

Question 8

coriolis effect

Answer 8

water currents travelling long distances appear to be moving in a curve, rather than a straight line

Question 9

how does cold air move?

Answer 9

cold air from poles sink towards the equator

Question 10

how does hot air move?

Answer 10

hot air from the equator rises towards the poles

Question 11

how do prevailing winds occur?

Answer 11

friction by land surface, ocean currents, local variations in air pressure, altitude