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Climate
the long term prevailing weather of a location
What are abiotic factors of climate?
Temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind
What do the physical components of climate influence?
Distribution and organism abundance
Global climate patterns determines largely by?
Solar energy and the planet’s rotation in space
What is the sun’s warming effect?
Temperature variations, which drive evaporation and the circulation of air and water. Also causes latitudinal variations in climate
What is latitudinal variation in sunlight intensity caused by?
The curved shape of Earth
Why do higher latitudes have light that is more spread out?
The sunlight strikes Earth at a great angle
Where does sunlight strike the Earth most directly?
The tropics
What initiates global air circulation and latitude precipitation patterns?
Intense solar radiation near the equator
What creates precipitation in the tropics?
Warm, wet air rising near the equator
What causes desert conditions?
Dry air descending at 30 degrees north and south latitudes
What absorbs moisture?
Descending dry air
What releases moisture?
Ascending moist air
What contributes to regional effects of climate?
Proximity to bodies of water, topographic features (mountains), seasonal variations (tilt of sun)
What does the angle of the sun lead to?
Many seasonal changes in local environments
What are lakes sensitive to?
Seasonal temperature change
What do lakes experience when undergoing seasonal temperature change?
Seasonal turnover
What does air flowing close to Earth’s surface create?
Predictable global wind patterns
What do ocean currents (warm and cold) affect?
Nearby terrestrial environments
Gulf Stream?
Carries warm water from the equator to the East Coast North Atlantic
California Current?
Brings cold water from the North
Sea breeze
During the day, air rises over warm land and draws a cool breeze from the water across the land
What do mountains significantly affect?
Amount of sunlight reaching an area, local temperature, and rainfall
What does rising air release?
Moisture on the windward side of a leak. It creates a dry area called “rain show” as it absorbs moisture on the leeward side
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Flashcard (59)