Activity 58: The Causes of Climate – Reading Guide
Name:
Energy from the Sun
Why do some parts of the earth receive more intense sunlight than
others? (Hint: Think back to the unit “The Earth in Space” and what we did with the flashlight
and the tube of paper shining on the globe . . .)
Same amount of light spread out over larger rounded surface makes light
intensity less, so is colder, leading to differences in latitude, and therefore
seasons.
Stopping to Think #1: Imagine holding a tennis ball in front of a heat lamp for 5 minutes.
What do you predict will happen to the temperature along the “equator” of the ball
compared to the top and bottom?
Temp will increase much more along equator.
The Role of Oceans
Why are oceans a major factor influencing the Earth’s climates?
Oceans hold a lot of heat, and transfer that heat around the world.
How does the temperature of an ocean affect the air?
Air moving above oceans will take on the temperature of the air, making
climates either warmer (and wetter) or colder and wetter.
What would happen to ocean currents and world climates if energy from the sun were to
stop reaching Earth?
Ocean currents would stop (no energy transfer due to temperature, and
therefore density, differences)
Stopping to Think #2:
A: Which coast of the U.S. is warmed by warm ocean currents?
EAST
B: Which coast is cooled by cool ocean currents?
WEST
C: Do you predict that the climate of the southeastern states (i.e. Georgia and North
Carolina) along the ocean would be warmer or cooler without ocean currents?
Explain.
They would be slightly cooler because warm Gulf Stream wouldn’t warm
the land (but because of proximity to equator it would still be on the warm
side)
Factors Affecting Local Climates
How does the presence of large bodies of water influence climate?
Milder summer and winter temperatures because water
absorbs and retains a lot of thermal energy.
How does altitude affect climate?
Higher elevations have colder temperatures. It’s called
“adiabatic cooling” – lose about 6.5 ºC for every kilometer in
elevation gain.
How do landforms influence climate?
Called “Rain Shadow” or “Orographic” effect As air moves up and over mountains on “windward”
side, it cools and condenses, causing clouds and wetter
conditions.
As air moves to “leeward” side, it is now drier
and causes drier climate.
Stopping to Think #3: What 3 factors affect local climate? Which of these factors do you
think affect your local climate?
Presence of large bodies of water, altitude, and presence of large landforms,
such as mountains. Being close to the ocean, and Coast and Cascade
Range affect us the most.
Why is it not easy to determine if one factor is causing more of change than another to the
climate?
Because so many factors influence the climate all at the same time!