Influence Of Land & Sea Distribution

Question 1

Absorbtion of energy: Land

Answer 1

Has lower reflectivity than sea, so absorbs most radiation.
Poorly conducts heats leaving it to be confined to near the surface.
Land has low specific heat.

Question 2

Absorbtion of energy: Sea

Answer 2

High reflectivity, especially at low sun angle, less energy is absorbed.
Suns rays can permeate deeper, causing heating of water, and convection currents.
Sea has higher specific heat, so the same heat will raise temp less.

Question 3

Define Specific heat capacity

Answer 3

This is the amount of energy taken to heat a sample of the material by 1 degree.
A high specific heat capacity means it takes more energy to raise it’s temperature.
A low value means it takes less energy to heat a sample.
Low capacity heats and cools fast (land).
High capacity heats and cools slowly (water).

Question 4

Sea heats and retains heat…

Answer 4

For much longer than land.

Land heats and cools fast.

Question 5

Places near the sea have cooler …….. and warmer ………

Answer 5

Places near the sea have cooler summers and warmer winters
Moister climates have smaller temperature ranges.
Continental climates have larger ranges.

Question 6

Large continental land masses have …… temp ranges

Answer 6

Large continental land masses have Large temp ranges.

E.g. Siberia annual temp range = 59*C

Question 7

Cold winds move towards the ……..

Hot winds move towards the ………

Answer 7

Cold winds move towards the equator.

Hot winds move towards the poles.

Question 8

Prevailing winds have the greatest…..

Answer 8

Influence on temperature.

Question 9

Influence of ocean currents: Can only affect the land if it is……

Answer 9

Coastal.

Question 10

Influence of altitude: Air temp …….. with altitude

Answer 10

Air temp Decreases with altitude.
Thinner air = Less water vapour = Less radiation absorbed.
Very rapid heat loss at altitude.