7.3 Flashcards
What do scientists mean by climate change?
A significant difference in the average temperature of a region, recorded over many years.
What are the three major influences on Earth’s climate variation?
- The tilt of Earth’s axis and the amount of sunlight reaching the surface.
- The ability of land and water to absorb and emit radiant heat.
- The features of the land.
How do land and water temperatures differ during the day and night?
During the day, land absorbs heat faster than water. At night, land releases heat faster than water.
How does the difference in temperature changes between land and water affect coastal climates?
Coastal climates experience less temperature variation, as oceans moderate temperature extremes compared to inland areas.
How does altitude affect temperature in the atmosphere?
Temperature decreases with increased height above sea level.
How do mountain ranges affect nearby climates?
Mountains can block winds, forcing air upwards to form clouds as water vapor condenses.
How do sandy soils affect climate?
Sandy soils reflect more energy from the Sun compared to dark, fertile soils.
How does fresh snow impact the climate?
Fresh snow reflects up to 90% of the Sun’s energy that reaches it.
How do heavily vegetated areas affect climate?
Heavily vegetated areas absorb more Sun’s radiation, as plants use it for photosynthesis.
What causes ocean currents on Earth?
Ocean currents are caused by Earth’s rotation and temperature differences between the tropics and poles.
What happens to warm surface water near the equator?
It sinks and cools as it moves towards the poles.
What happens to cold water in polar regions?
It rises and warms as it moves towards the equator.
How do ocean currents influence coastal climates?
Warm and cold ocean currents move huge volumes of water, significantly affecting the climates of coastal regions.
What is the Gulf Stream?
The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the equator into the North Atlantic Ocean, keeping regions like Great Britain, Norway, and Iceland warmer than other areas at similar latitudes.
How do cold ocean currents affect coastal regions?
Cold ocean currents cool coastal regions that would otherwise be hot.
