Sunlight
This is the source of almost all of Earth’s energy.
The Sun / solar energy
This term describes how much solar energy a surface reflects back into space.
Albedo
This climate factor measures your distance from the equator.
Latitude
As elevation increases, temperature does this.
Decreases / gets colder
This climate zone is found near the equator — hot and wet year-round.
Humid Tropical
A mountain near the equator has snow at its peak. Which TWO factors from this lesson explain this?
Elevation (snow at the peak) Sunlight Angle (Equator)
When sunlight hits Earth at a low angle, it spreads over a _____ area, delivering less energy per square meter.
Larger
A surface with HIGH albedo (like fresh snow) does this to most incoming sunlight.
Reflects it
A city at 60°N latitude will generally have _____ temperatures than a city at 10°N.
colder
A mountain range blocks moisture-carrying winds, creating a dry area on the downwind side called this.
rain shadow
Regional climates form within major zones because of these 3 local factors.
Landforms, elevation, and ocean currents
Singapore is near the equator. The Taklamakan Desert is at 40°N. Compare their likely climate zones.
Singapore = Humid Tropical; Taklamakan = Dry/Arid
This region receives the most direct sunlight year-round because the sun is nearly overhead.
The equator
Which surface has a LOWER albedo — dark ocean water or white ice?
Dark ocean water — it absorbs more energy
Warm ocean currents do this to coastal climates.
Warm them up / make them milder
These are the dominant wind patterns that move air masses across Earth’s surface.
prevailing winds
The Sahara Desert in Northern Africa is classified as this type of climate.
Dry / Arid
Name 4 different factors that can influence a region’s climate.
latitude, ocean currents, elevation, landforms, prevailing winds, large bodies of water, albedo
Explain why the poles receive less solar energy than the equator.
Sunlight hits at a low angle at the poles, spreading energy over a larger area — so each square meter gets less heat.
Why do polar regions stay cold even in summer? Use the word “albedo” in your answer.
Snow and ice have high albedo — they reflect most sunlight back, so little heat is absorbed.
The Gulf Stream is a famous warm ocean current that keeps this continent’s western coast warmer than expected.
Europe
Large bodies of water moderate nearby climates by making temperatures more _____ throughout the year.
Stable / moderate
Why are Africa’s climate zones similar but not symmetrical above and below the equator?
Climate has more than one input — ocean currents, landforms, and elevation differ on each side.
How do prevailing winds and ocean currents TOGETHER affect a coastal region’s climate?
Prevailing winds carry air from the ocean inland; warm/cold currents heat or cool that air, shaping how mild or extreme the coastal climate is.
As you move from the equator toward the poles, the angle of incoming sunlight does this.
Decreases / becomes more indirect
Direct sunlight hits a surface at a _____ angle and delivers the most energy per square meter.
High / steep / 90°
Cold ocean currents flowing along a coastline tend to make that area’s climate _____ and _____.
Cooler and drier
A city inland has hotter summers and colder winters than a coastal city at the same latitude. Explain why.
Large bodies of water absorb and release heat slowly, keeping coastal areas cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Name all 5 major climate zones.
Humid Tropical, Dry, Humid Subtropical, Humid Continental, Polar
A student claims: “Two cities at the same latitude must have the same climate.” Is this true? Explain.
FALSE — elevation, ocean currents, landforms, and prevailing winds can give two same-latitude cities very different climates.