Physical Geography: Weather, Climate, and Global Circulation Patterns (module 5)

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather refers to current conditions of temperature, moisture, precipitation, and wind, while climate is the long-term trend of weather in a specific location.

What factors influence climate?

Air temperature, air circulation, and moisture in the atmosphere.

What determines air temperature in a location?

Air temperature is influenced by latitude, proximity to coasts, elevation, and prevailing winds or ocean currents.

What is insolation?

Insolation is the amount of incoming solar radiation received on Earth.

How does latitude affect sun angle and temperature?

At the Equator, sun rays strike directly, concentrating energy, while at higher latitudes, rays strike at an angle, spreading energy over a larger area, resulting in cooler temperatures.

What are the five climate zones based on Earth's axial tilt?

The five climate zones are the Tropics, Temperate zones, and Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic).

What causes the seasons on Earth?

Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis (approximately 23.5°) and its revolution around the Sun.

What happens during the equinoxes?

On the equinoxes (March 21 and September 21), there are equal hours of daylight and darkness.

What is the lapse rate?

The lapse rate is the regular change in air temperature with elevation, approximately 6.4°C per 1000 meters.

How do land and water differ in heat absorption?

Land absorbs heat more quickly but also cools off more quickly, while water heats and cools more slowly due to its greater depth.

What is convection in air circulation?

Convection is the process where warm air rises and cool air descends, creating a pattern of air circulation.

What is the relationship between air pressure and temperature?

Warm air is associated with low pressure as it rises, while cold air is associated with high pressure as it descends.

What is the effect of daylight hours on temperature?

Longer daylight hours during summer lead to higher temperatures, while shorter daylight hours in winter result in cooler temperatures.

How does elevation affect temperature?

As elevation increases, temperature generally decreases due to the atmosphere being warmed by reradiation of Earth's heat.

What is the significance of the sun angle during different seasons?

The sun angle varies with seasons, affecting the intensity and concentration of solar energy received at different latitudes.

What happens to air as it rises?

As air rises, it expands and cools, while denser, cooler air rushes in to replace it, creating convection currents.

What occurs during the summer solstice?

On June 21, the vertical rays of the Sun strike the Earth at 23.5°N, resulting in the longest daylight hours in the northern hemisphere.

What occurs during the winter solstice?

On December 21, the vertical rays of the Sun strike the Earth at 23.5°S, resulting in the shortest daylight hours in the northern hemisphere.

What causes air movement or circulation?

Differences in atmospheric pressure.

How is air pressure defined?

The weight of a column of air 1 inch square and 6 miles high.

What is the normal atmospheric pressure at sea level?

14.7 lbs/square inch.

What instrument is used to measure atmospheric pressure?

A barometer.

What occurs when high pressure air flows into areas of low pressure?

A pressure gradient is established.

What happens to air as it warms near the surface?

It becomes less dense and rises.

What is the relationship between temperature and air density?

Cooler air is denser and heavier, causing it to flow into replace rising warmer air.

Where do places typically have the greatest amounts of heat?

Near the equator, associated with rising air.

What factors influence global air circulation patterns?

Differences in temperature due to latitude.

How do seasonal changes affect air circulation patterns?

Circulation patterns change seasonally as temperature changes.

What is relative humidity?

The actual percentage of moisture in the air compared to the maximum it could hold.

What happens to air as it rises and cools?

Its ability to hold moisture decreases, leading to potential condensation.

What is the dew point?

The point at which air reaches maximum saturation and condensation occurs.

What are the three types of precipitation systems?

Convectional, orographic, and cyclonic (frontal) precipitation.

What characterizes convectional precipitation?

Rising warm air carries moisture aloft, typical of summer thunderstorms.

What occurs during orographic precipitation?

Air masses are forced to rise over topographic barriers, causing precipitation on the windward side.

What is frontal or cyclonic precipitation associated with?

Large scale air movements caused by global air patterns.

What determines the characteristics of an air mass?

The source region where it formed, affecting temperature and moisture.

What are some examples of severe weather phenomena?

Tornadoes, water spouts, and hurricanes.

What factors determine climate regions?

Air temperature and precipitation over extended periods.

What are some climate classifications?

Tropical rain forest, Mediterranean, semi-desert, desert, prairie, deciduous woodlands, coniferous woodlands, tundra.

What is a characteristic of humid mid-latitude climates?

Cold, wet winters and dry, hot summers.

What defines an arctic climate?

Tundra conditions with very low temperatures.

How does latitude affect temperature?

Places closer to the Equator tend to be hotter year-round, while those near the poles are cooler.

What are the two primary motions of Earth that influence climate?

Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun.

What is the significance of the Tropopause?

The Tropopause is the ceiling of the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere that receives significant heating from the Earth's surface.

How does proximity to the ocean affect temperature?

Areas close to oceans have more moderate temperatures compared to inland areas due to the heat retention properties of water.

What causes convectional precipitation?

Convectional precipitation occurs when rising warm air carries moisture aloft, leading to condensation and precipitation, typical in summertime thunderstorms.

What is orographic precipitation?

Orographic precipitation occurs when air masses are forced to rise over topographic barriers, leading to saturation and precipitation on the windward side.

What is frontal or cyclonic precipitation?

Frontal or cyclonic precipitation is associated with large-scale air movements caused by global air patterns, with heaviest precipitation at the meeting edges of air masses.

What is atmospheric pressure?

Atmospheric pressure is the weight of a column of air, typically measured at 14.7 lbs/square inch.

What is the role of the jet streams in climate?

Jet streams are global air currents that respond to temperature differences between equatorial and polar regions and influence weather patterns.

How does the Coriolis effect influence air movement?

The Coriolis effect causes air to move in a curved path due to Earth's rotation, affecting global wind patterns.

What are the main climate zones on Earth?

Earth's main climate zones include tropical, dry, temperate, continental, and polar climates.

What characterizes tropical climates?

Tropical climates are characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity, often featuring rainforests and savannas.

What defines dryland climates?

Dryland climates include hot deserts, mid-latitude deserts, semi-deserts, and steppes, characterized by low precipitation.

What is a humid continental climate?

A humid continental climate features distinct seasons with warm summers and cold winters, typically found in the interior of continents.

What is the significance of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?

The ITCZ is a region near the equator where trade winds converge, leading to increased rainfall and tropical weather patterns.

What is the impact of vegetation on moisture levels?

Lush vegetation contributes to moisture levels through evapotranspiration from plants and animals.

What factors influence soil development related to climate?

Climate affects soil development through temperature, moisture availability, and vegetation types.

How does climate influence economic development?

Climate affects economic development through agriculture, employment opportunities, and resource availability.

In what ways can climate affect human populations?

Climate can affect food production, employment, culture, economic development, clothing, shelter, and disease prevalence.