Temperature & Factors that influence temperatures

Question 1

Define weather

Answer 1

• condition of atmosphere
• at particular plc
• specific time (Short term)

Question 2

Define climate

Answer 2

• average condition of atmosphere
• of particular plc
• over long period of time (usually 30 yrs or more; long term)

Question 3

Elements of weather

Answer 3

1. temperature
2. relative humidity
3. clouds
4. rainfall
5. air pressure
6. wind

Question 4

Define temperature

Answer 4

• degree of hotness or coldness of air of particular plc
• usually measured in °C or °F
• determined by amt of solar energy that reaches earth’s surface

Question 5

Solar energy

Answer 5

• solar energy travels frm sun to earth in rays (shortwave radiation)
• most rays escape to space, small part reaches earth (incoming solar radiation/insolation)
• when rays reach earth, some reflected by clouds back to space
• earth absorbs remaining insolation, warms up
• rays reflected by earth surface is longwave radiation

Question 6

Factors that influence temp of locations

Answer 6

1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Distance from sea
4. Cloud cover

Question 7

Define Latitude

Answer 7

• distance of any pt on earth measured north or south frm equator
• imaginary horizontal lines running east to west
• measured in degrees (each degree made up of 60 min)

Question 8

How does latitude affect temp

Answer 8

• considered most impt factor affecting temp
• temps higher at lower latitude, lower at higher altitude (Poles)
• becos earth tilted at 23.5° on its own axis (angle of incidence)
• sun rays strike at various angles at diff part of earth, influence amt of solar energy a particular location receives

Question 9

Angle of incidence (lower latitude)

Answer 9

• lower latitude, solar radiation strike at 90°, rays fall over small area, heat more concentrated
• curved shape of earth surface, rays travel thru shorter distance in atmosphere, less radiation lost by reflection, scattering and absorption
• higher temp along equator

Question 10

Angle of incidence (higher latitude)

Answer 10

• solar radiation strike earth surface at smaller angle of incidence
• sun rays spread over larger area, heat less concentrated
• rays travel longer distance in atmosphere, more radiation lost by reflection, scattering and absorption

Question 11

Define altitude

Answer 11

• height of a plc in relation to sea level

- higher altitude, lower temp

Question 12

Normal lapse rate

Answer 12

• constant difference

Question 13

How does altitude affect temperature? (atmospheric gases and longwave radiation)

Answer 13

• atmosphere (envelope of gases surrounding earth) is denser at earths surface due to pull of gravity
• atmospheric gases and particles (water vapour, CO2, dust) trap longwave radiation reflected off frm warm ground
• temp higher at lower ground
• vice versa (less heat trapped, lesser gases, more heat escape back to space)

Question 14

How does altitude affect temperature? (shortwave radiation)

Answer 14

• sun solar energy enters atmosphere, reaches surface as shortwave radiation
• 45% directly absorbed by surface, heating it up
• higher altitude, further frm heated surface of earth (vice versa)
• temp decreases with increasing altitude

Question 15

Distance from sea

Answer 15

1. Maritime Effect

2. Continental effect

Question 16

Sea Vs Land rate of cooling&heating

Answer 16

• sea heats up and cools down more slowly than land
• differential heating: diff in rate of heating and cooling of sea and land
• affects temp of coastal and inland areas differently

Question 17

Maritime effect (Distance frm sea)

Answer 17

• refers to effect large ocean bodies have on climate in coastal areas
• causes coastal areas to have small annual temp range
• summer: air over is sea cooler than over land (why?), coastal areas cooler than inland
• winter: air over sea remains warmer than over land (why?), increase temp of coastal areas (warmer than inland during winter

Question 18

Continental affect (Distance frm sea)

Answer 18

• effect that continental surfaces have on climate of inland areas
• causes inland areas to have a large annual temp range
• inland areas further frm sea, temp not moderated by sea
• warmer summers, colder winters

Question 19

Define cloud cover

Answer 19

• extent of sky covered by clouds
• measured in units (oktas/eighths)
• amt of cloud cover influences diurnal temps on earth’s surface

Question 20

Little cloud cover (Sahara Desert)

Answer 20

• Day: most shortwave radiation absorbed by surface, heat up excessively, high temp
• Night: longwave radiation/outgoing terrestrial radiation escape quickly back to space (no obstruction by clouds), lower temp
• large diurnal temp range

Question 21

Thick cloud cover (Equatorial areas)

Answer 21

• Day: most shortwave radiation reflected back to space and absorbed by clouds, surface not heated up excessively, low temps
• Night: longwave radiation/outgoing terrestrial radiation prevented frm escaping back to space/atmosphere (absorbed by clouds), temp fall by few degrees
• small diurnal temp range