weather and climate 1.2 Flashcards
how does temperature change over a day? (in relevance to earth’s rotation)
[2 points]
as the earth rotates, the side of the earth that faces the sun experiences day and receives solar radiation, thus it experiences higher temperatures.
as the earth continues to rotate, this side will eventually face away from the sun and experience night time where it does not receive solar radiation, thus it experiences lower temperatures.
describe temperature at midday.
[5 points]
At midday,
sun is directly overhead.
Due to earth’s spherical shape, solar radiation is spread over a smaller area.
solar radiation is more concentrated.
temperature is highest in the day.
midday temperatures in Singapore can reach between 31 to 33 degrees celsius.
describe temperature before and after midday.
[5 points]
before and after midday,
sun is not directly overhead.
Due to earth’s spherical shape, solar radiation is spread over a larger area.
solar radiation is less concentrated.
temperature is lower than midday.
temperatures before and after midday in Singapore can range from 25 to 31 degrees celsius.
describe temperature before sunrise.
[3 points]
at night,
the place does not receive solar radiation and loses heat in the form of long-wave radiation.
thus, the temperature is lowest just before sunrise as the place has lost heat for the longest period of time.
temperatures before sunrise is Singapore can range from 23 to 25 degrees celsius.
how does temperature change over a year? [hemispheres and where sun faces]
different months?
June
- nh leans towards the sun (higher temp)
- sh leans away from sun (lower temp)
December
- nh leans away from sun (lower temp)
- sh leans towards sun (higher temp)
September and March
-neither hemisphere leans towards the sun
tropics (near equator) receive direct or near-direct solar radiation throughout the year, hence experiencing high temp throughout the year.
Why are temperatures lower at higher latitudes?
The higher the latitude, the smaller the solar angle, therefore the solar radiation is less direct, is spread over a larger area and is less concentrated, leading to lower temperatures.
What is the difference between temperature at the equator and at higher latitudes? [comparison]
At the equator,
which is located at a lower latitude, has a higher solar angle. Solar radiation is more concentrated/direct, and is spread over a smaller area, hence higher temperatures are found.
At higher latitudes, the solar angle is lower. Solar radiation is less concentrated/direct, and is spread over a larger area, hence lower temperatures are found.
Why are temperatures lower at higher altitudes? Why are temperatures higher at lower altitudes?
At higher altitudes, air is less dense and there is lower pressure at higher altitudes, lower ability to absorb and radiate heat, hence lower temperatures are found at higher altitudes.
At lower altitudes, air is denser and there is higher pressure at lower altitude, higher ability to absorb and radiate heat, hence higher temperatures are found at lower altitudes.
how do dark surfaces affect temperature?
dark surfaces generally absorb more solar radiation and radiate more heat, resulting in higher temperatures.
how do light-coloured surfaces affect temperature?
light-coloured surfaces generally reflect more solar radiation and radiate less heat, resulting in lower temperatures.
why do urban areas tend to have higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas?
[2 points]
- urban areas comprise larger areas of dark surfaces such as roads which absorb more solar radiation and radiate more heat than forests and water bodies.
- glass-covered skyscrapers reflect sunlight to the ground surface. this increases absorption of solar radiation and heat radiation by ground surfaces
Why does distance from the sea cause differences in temperature between coastal and inland areas?
Due to the maritime effect, coastal areas experience cooler summers and warmer winters. The annual temperature range is lower.
Due to the continental effect, inland areas experience warmer summers and cooler winters. The annual temperature range is higher.
This is because sea heats up and cools down more slowly than land. During winter, the sea is warmer than land, warming the air along coastal areas. During summer, the sea is cooler than land, cooling the air along coastal areas.
Inland areas do not experience this moderating influence of the sea, and instead experience the continental effect.
