MAPPING, CLIMATE AND WEATHER 1
Weather, climate and our atmosphere
1
What is the difference between weather and climate? Use examples to explain your answer.
2
There are five layers in Earth’s atmosphere. List them in order, starting with the layer closest
to Earth.
Radiation from the Sun is the main source of Earth’s energy. Without solar radiation, there would
be no plant growth and no weather systems.
3
Complete the sentences using these words: different, more, Poles, less, Equator.
An area on Earth at low latitudes, closer to the __________________ receives more heat
than the same area at low latitudes closer to the __________________. This is because the
sun’s rays hit places on Earth at __________________ angles. The more direct the Sun’s
rays, the __________________ distance they travel through the atmosphere to hit the Earth,
and the __________________ heat is transmitted.
4
Where on Earth do the Sun’s rays hit most directly?
5
Where on Earth do the Sun’s rays hit least directly?
What happens to solar radiation?
Heat is reflected from Earth’s surface. Some is trapped by greenhouse gases in the lower layers of
the atmosphere.
6
What are the main greenhouse gases?
a w___________________ v___________________
b c___________________ d___________________
c m___________________
d n___________________ o___________________
e o___________________
7
Which human activities are thought to contribute most to raising the levels of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere?
8
Does this situation need to be remedied? Why?
9
How do these diagrams explain the link between the Greenhouse Effect and global warming?
MAPPING, CLIMATE AND WEATHER 2
10 Global warming refers to climate change – what does this mean?
Climate graphs and maps
Temperature and rainfall are the two most common measurements of weather conditions.
The mean is the average of a set of measurements.
11 How is the mean daily temperature calculated?
12 How is mean monthly rainfall calculated?
13 Does Cairns have a smaller or larger range of temperatures over a year than cities in the
southern states of Australia?
14 Cairns has a tropical climate. Does this mean its temperatures are generally warm or cool?
15 Does this tropical climate mean that the rainfall in Cairns is evenly spread or seasonal?
Synoptic weather maps
A synoptic chart shows the main elements of the weather system at a particular time, such as
highs, lows and cold fronts. Readings of atmospheric measurements are taken at ground level.
16 Complete the following sentences using these words: centre, increases, replacing, air
pressure, equal, decreases.
High is a short way of describing a high pressure cell, where the air pressure
___________________ towards the ___________________. Low is a short way of
describing a low pressure cell, where the ___________________ ___________________
towards the ___________________. A cold front is the boundary where a mass of cold air is
___________________ warm air, causing a sharp change in temperature. Isobars are lines
on a synoptic weather map that join places of ___________________ air pressure.
17 Highlight the different high and low pressure systems on this synoptic chart.
18 What other information is shown by the symbols on this synoptic chart?
MAPPING, CLIMATE AND WEATHER 3
Climate change
Many scientists believe that global warming is Earth’s greatest environmental threat.
The global trend shows increasing temperatures, which could be caused by the Greenhouse
Effect.
This graph shows the relationship between temperature and concentrations of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere, over an extended period.
Source: Petit, J.R., et al., 2001 Vostok Ice Core Data for 420 000 Years,
World Data Center for Paleoclimatology, CO, USA
1
Fill in the gaps using these words: carbon dioxide, human, increased,
400 000, atmosphere, fossil, globally, temperature, carbon dioxide.
This graph shows that variations in _______________________ have occurred consistently
over the past _______________________ years. There is a distinct relationship between
temperature and levels of _______________________________________ gas in the
atmosphere.
Over the past couple of centuries, carbon dioxide levels in the _______________________
have been greater than ever before. This is because in that time,
_______________________ activity (particularly the use of _______________________
fuels) has resulted in many more emissions. This graph shows that the
_______________________ averaged surface temperature has steadily
_______________________ since 1900. In that time,
_______________________________________ levels have also increased.
2
In what ways are individuals, business and industry, and governments responsible for climate
change? Complete six dot points of fact or opinion for each group, to contribute towards a
class discussion.
Individuals
Business and industry
Governments
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