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1.6 Factors that affect climate: Latitude and Elevation (The main…
1.6 Factors that affect climate: Latitude and Elevation
Weather VS Climate
Weather: Is the day by day changes in the atmosphere
Climate: The long term weather patter in an area
An areas climate is a measure of two things
temperature
humidity and precipitation
The main geographical factors that determine an area's climate
Latitude
Altitude
Prevailing winds
Proximity to the ocean
ocean currents
Water in the atmosphere
composition of the atmosphere
nitrogen 78%
oxygen 21%
Argon 0.9%
Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and ozone are trace gases: 1%
water vapor varies from 0-4%
humidity
the measure of how much water vapor is in the air
Water cycle
condensation
evaporation
precipitation
run off
Latitude
Latitude is the distance from the equator, measured. in degrees
equator 0*
South Pole: 90* south
North Pole: 90*
Why is it hotter at the equator and colder at the poles
Latitude gradient
The sun's rays hit Earth's surfaces more directly at the equator than at the poles.
Latitude zones
temperate zone
polar zone
tropical zone
Seasons occur because the Earth's axis is not perpendicular to the sun
Larger bodies of water such as oceans , seas and large lakes make climates more moderate
Factors that determine the climate of an area
latitude
affects temperature
humidity and precipitation
altitude
affects temperature: higher elevation> atmosphere less dense
distance from large bodies of water
lakes and oceans are slow to change temperature>moderate air temperature above