Chapter 14- Climate

Question 1

Define climate.

Answer 1

The average weather of a large area of the world over a long period of time

Question 2

Name 3 factors affecting world climates

Answer 2

Latitude
Distance from oceans or seas
Prevailing winds and air masses

Question 3

Describe how latitude affects world climates

Answer 3

The further a place is from the equator, the colder it is likely to be
Near the equator, the sun’s rays are overhead
Further from the equator, the sun’s rays are slanted, they cover a longer distance, producing less heat

Question 4

Describe how distance from oceans or seas affects world climates

Answer 4

Land heats up quickly in the summer and cools quickly in the winter
Oceans heat up slowly in the summer and cool slowly in the winter
Places near the sea are cooler in summer and warmer in winter than places inland

Question 5

Describe how prevailing winds or air masses affect world climates

Answer 5

If prevailing wind blows from the sea it will be cooler and wetter in summer and warmer and wetter in winter
If prevailing winds blow from land they will be warmer and drier in summer and cooler and drier in winter

Question 6

Define prevailing wind

Answer 6

The main or predominant wind direction

Question 7

Name 2 factors affecting local climates

Answer 7

Altitude

Aspect

Question 8

Describe how altitude affects local climates

Answer 8

Temperatures decrease with altitude -> air is thinner and less able to retain heat it gets from the ground
Stringer winds are more likely at high altitudes -> chill factor also lowers temperature

Question 9

Define altitude

Answer 9

The height of land above sea level

Question 10

Describe how aspect affects local climates

Answer 10

-In the northern hemisphere, shout facing slopes are warmer than north facing
-> influence of sun and warmer winds
*South facing slopes receive more hours of sunshine + receive sunlight at a more direct angle, they also receive warm, southerly winds
*north facing slopes receive less hours of sunshine + are often in shade, they also receive colder, northerly winds
(Vice versa below equator)

-Slopes that face the sea are wetter and have more rainfall than those on the leeward side of mountains

• areas with mountains will have colder climates
• > air tense rapture decreases 1 degree for every 100m in height