Chapter 2: Earth and Its Forms

Axis and Revolution

Can Earth exist without heat and light from the sun?

Earth could not exist without heat and light from the sun.

Earth and Its Seasons

Why is it hot near the equator?

It is hot near the equator because the sun’s rays are at a 90 degree angle. This results in warm temperatures on the equator.

What causes the Earth’s seasons?

Earth's seasons are caused by Earth's tilted axis. Throughout the years, different parts of Earth receive the sun's most direct rays of sunlight.

Longitude and Time

What does the International Date Line separate?

The International Date Line separates one day from the next.

What happens when you cross the International Date Line going west and east?

If you go west of the International Date Line, you lose a day. If you go east on it, you gain a day.

Factors That Influence Climate.

Define weather and climate.

Weather- is the state of the atmosphere at a given time

Climate- is the average weather conditions in a region or area over a longer period

Know and understand the climate zones.

SHORT RESPONSE–How does latitude, climatic zones, elevation, wind currents, and oceans impact climate?

Latitude- affects climate by the distance away from the equator

Climate zones- specific regions on earth classified based on their long term weather patterns

Elevation- affects climate because the earths atmosphere thins as altitude increases

Wind currents- the movement of air and water helps create and control earth's climates

Ocean Currents- cold and warm streams of water known as currents circulate through the oceans and maintain the sun’s heat around the globe

What are the three main climatic zones? What are the summers and winters like in

the three main climatic zones?

Polar- Receive little sunlight and are very cold

Temperate- Warm summers and cold winters

Tropical- Hot all year round

Apply the climatic zones to specific locations.

Polar- Antarctica and Alaska

Temperate- UK, New Zealand, Japan, and South Carolina

Tropical- Indonesia and Hawaii

Earth’s Form

What can happen to landforms when continents move?

Destroys major landforms.

What are the 7 continents?

-Asia

-Africa

-North America

-South America

-Antartica

-Europe

-Australia/ Oceanania

Define tectonic plates. How do they move? What happens when tectonic plates collide or move apart?

Tectonic plates are the movement and interaction of Earth’s plates. They move by heat and deep within the planet that causes plates to move. Tectonic plates can move on top of each other, this can create mountains.

Define faults.

Faults- when the rocks on one side or both sides of a crack in Earth's crust have been moved by forces within Earth

Define earthquakes. What causes earthquakes?

Earthquakes- huge masses of rock move beneath Earth’s surface and cause the ground to shake. This happens when tectonic plates get stuck and slip past each other.

Define volcanoes.

Volcanoes- an opening that releases gas, hot magma, and ash.

Define the Ring of Fire. Do earthquakes occur in the Ring of Fire?

Ring of Fire- a string of volcanoes and sights of seismic activity, or earthquakes. 90% of earthquakes occur, and 75% of all active volcanoes

Define mountains. How are underwater mountains formed?

Mountains- a landform that rises significantly above the surrounding area. Underwater mountains and extinct volcanoes.

What do volcanoes create on the ocean floor? Are underwater mountains extinct volcanoes?

Volcanoes mountains on the ocean floor. Underwater mountains are extinct volcanoes.

Surface Features on Land

What is the difference between elevation and sea level?

Elevation- the height of a place above sea level

Sea Level- the base level for measuring elevation and depth on Earth

Define and know examples of the following:

Plateau, plains, valley, archipelago, peninsula, and islands.

Plateau- flat elevated landform that rises sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side

Plains- large stretches of flat land

Valley- low lying landform in the middle of hills and mountains

Archipelago- a group of islands found in a chain or closely grouped ina body or water.

Peninsula- a piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water but is connected to the main land on one side.

Island- entirely surrounded by water.

Water Source

What percentage is the Earth’s water fresh and saltwater?

Fresh-3%

Salt- 97%

Define and know examples of the following:

Delta, estuary, tributary, bays, and gulfs

Delta- a triangle-shaped area of land made of silt, clay, or gravel at the mouth of a river.

Estuary- an area where a freshwater river stream meets the ocean

Tributary- a stream or river that flows into and joining a main river

Bays- a coastal body or water connected to a larger body of water partly surrounded by land

Gulfs- a large area of ocean partly surrounded by land.