Chapter 3: The Earth`s Atmosphere and Climates
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Geography PowerPoint on Earth’s Systems and Climates Age Range: High School Educational Goals: • Basic understanding of Greenhouse Effects • Understand the relationship between solar energy and air pressure • Understand the importance of satellites • Understanding of different climate zones around the world Abstract The information for this PowerPoint was taken from an AGS World Geography text book. The information provided in the book was difficult to understand and was not visually stimulating for students. I pulled important facts and details then added visuals. The PowerPoint also includes a hyperlink to help explain the Greenhouse Effect. This can be manipulated together as a class or individually. Upon completion, students can individually take a quiz provided on that link. The slides can also be used to help prepare students for the test. The information can be removed thus leaving only the visuals. This is especially helpful when describing different climate zones. By creating this PowerPoint, students are still able to use the text to answer section questions and they feel less overwhelmed by the information presented. Chapter 3: The Earth’s Atmosphere and Climates Global Energy Systems Temperature is the measurement of heat in the atmosphere. Everyday the sun’s rays reach the earth. Some rays are reflected back to space. Some are absorbed and changed into heat energy. http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/global_ warming_version2.html The Greenhouse Effect A greenhouse is a special house built to grow plants. The earth traps energy the same way. Who receives solar energy? All of the earth receives solar energy. The equator receives more solar energy than the North and South poles. Heat energy is shared through: winds ocean currents Air Pressure Air pressure creates the winds and ocean currents that allows energy to be shared. Low pressure air is warmed, expands, becomes lighter, rises brings unstable weather Air Pressure High pressurecold air • dense (heavy) • mostly clear, dry weather Air pressure zones 1. Equator low pressure 2. Subpolar low pressure 3. Subtropical high pressure 4. Polar high pressure Air Pressure Zones 1. Equator low pressure 2. Subpolar low pressure 3. Subtropical high pressure 4. Polar high pressure Satellites They collect and send back information about the earth. 2 types of light visible light infrared light - detects heat in clouds, water, and land Satellite Images Satellite Importance Tracking weather clouds, storms, oceans Environment changes in vegetation (plants) moisture visible and infrared light land surface air pollution pests (bugs) monitor human activity (growth of cities) burning of rainforests forest fires crop (farm) damage paths of oil spills animal movement ground movement of earthquakes World Climate Zones Classifying Regions Low Latitudes humid tropical tropical savanna Dry/Semiarid desert steppe Middle Latitudes Mediterranean humid subtropical Middle Latitude marine west coast humid continental High Latitude subarctic tundra ice cap Highland Low Latitudes Humid Tropical along equator South America Zaire Basin Africa Southeast Asia weather patterns warm and rainy year round Vegetation tropical rainforest Low Latitudes Tropical Savanna between humid tropics and deserts Africa South America Central America Southern and Southeast Asia Australia Weather warm all year rainy and dry seasons Vegetation tropical grassland with few trees Dry / Semiarid Desert Saharan Africa southwest Asia central and western Australia southwestern North America Weather Arid (low rainfall) tropics - sunny and hot middle latitudes huge temperature range Steppe - Dry / Semiarid bordering deserts northern and south Africa interior western North America central and interior Asia and Australia southern South America Weather semiarid - a little rain hot summers cool winters similar to desert temp Vegetation grassland, few trees Middle Latitudes Mediterranean middle latitudes, west coast southern Europe southwest Asia California southwestern Australia central Chile southwestern South Africa Weather dry, sunny warm summers mild, humid winters Vegetation scrub, woodland, grassland Middle Latitudes Humid Subtropical east coasts in middle latitudes southeastern United States eastern Asia central southern Europe southeastern parts of South Africa and Australia Weather hot, humid summers mild, humid winters in path of hurricanes and typhoons Vegetation mixed forest Middle Latitudes Marine West Coast upper-middle latitudes, west coast Europe and North America North America southwestern South America Weather cloudy, mild summers cool, rainy winters strong ocean influence Vegetation temperate, evergreen forest Middle Latitudes Humid Continental east coasts and upper middle latitudes northeastern North America northern and eastern Europe northeastern Asia Weather 4 seasons long, cold winters short, warm summers rain varies Vegetation mixed forest High Latitudes Subarctic high latitude of interior and east coasts northern North America, Europe, and Asia Weather extreme temperatures • long cold winters • short warm summers • very little rain Vegetation northern evergreen forest High Latitude Tundra high latitude coasts northern parts of North America, Europe, Asia Antarctica subantarctica islands Weather cold all year • long cold winters • short cool summers • little rain Vegetation moss, lichens, low shrubs, permafrost bogs in summer High Latitude Ice Cap polar regions Antarctica Greenland Arctic Basin Islands Weather freezing cold • snow ice all year • little rain • temperature is not higher than freezing Highland High mountain regions western North and South America eastern Asia and Africa southern and central Europe and Asia Weather determined by elevation higher - cooler lower - similar to surroundings Summary What did we learn? Global Energy Greenhouse Effect solar energy air pressure Satellites World climate zones Review Which statements is true? We learned there is not a real importance in understanding climates. We learned that many factors play a role in influencing climates such as; – – – – – – ocean currents wind elevation people Earth’s surface sun We learned global warming is not an important issue.
