Learning Targets
I can explain what causes the seasons.
The tilt of the Earth and its axis
The process in which greenhouse gasses absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation near the Earth
Greenhouse effect
Air moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure.
Wind
Radiation
is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves.
Wind
Air moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure.
I can explain the greenhouse effect.
The process in which greenhouse gasses absorb and reradiate infrared radiation near the Earth
water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide
Greenhouse Gases
the long-term prevailing weather condition
Climate
Conduction
is the transfer of energy in the form of heat from a warmer object to a colder object when the objects are placed in direct physical contact.
Convection
is the transfer of energy that takes place when variations in temperature move the matter making up air.
I can explain the difference between weather and climate
Weather is the short term state of the atmosphere at that moment, and Climate is the Longer term prevailing weather condition
the state of the atmosphere at a particular moment.
Weather
The amount of energy arriving at the surface is lower in regions closer to the poles than it is near the equator.
High Latitudes
Rain, snow, fog
when warm air cools, the water vapor it contains may condense into liquid water
Greenhouse Gases
water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
I can explain why different parts of the Earth have different climates.
the amount of sunlight it receives, its height above sea level, the shape of the land, and how close it is to oceans
The distance from the equator is measured in degrees north or south of the equator
Latitude
More solar energy falls on areas that are near the equator than on areas that are closer to the poles.
Low latitudes
Altitude
the distance above sea level.
Greenhouse effect
The process in which greenhouse gasses absorb and reradiate infrared radiation near the Earth
I can explain three mechanisms of heat transfer in Earth’s atmosphere.
Radiation is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves. Conduction is the transfer of energy in the form of heat from a warmer object to a colder object when the objects are placed in direct physical contact. Convection is the transfer of energy that takes place when variations in temperature move the matter making up air.
As the air rises, it cools, which causes it to rain on the western side of the mountains. By the time the air reaches the eastern side of the mountains, it is dry.
Rain shadow effect
Three important properties of air illustrate how air circulation affects climate.
First, cold air sinks because it is denser than warm air. As cold air sinks, it compresses and warms. Second, warm air rises. It expands and cools as it rises. Third, warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air can
The movement of surface ocean currents is caused mostly by winds and the rotation of earth.
Rain Shadow Effect
As the air rises, it cools, which causes it to rain on the western side of the mountains. By the time the air reaches the eastern side of the mountains, it is dry.