Climate, Weather, and Biomes Study Guide (Chapter 7)
Be able to explain the difference between climate and weather.
Be able to define troposphere and know that most weather occurs in this lowest level of the
atmosphere.
Be able to explain the three types of heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation.
Be able to explain that indirect light is less intense because the light is spread over a greater
area.
Be able to explain the cause of the seasons. Know that the Earth is tilted at an angle of
23.5°on it axis relative to the sun.
Know the approximate dates of the summer solstice, fall equinox, winter solstice and vernal
(spring equinox) for the Northern hemisphere and how these relate to the orientation of the
earth’s axis to the sun, the length of the day and also the intensity of light.
Know that the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S) are the edges
of the range of latitude where the sun can be directly overhead on some day(s) of the year.
Know the Arctic Circle (66.5° N) and Antarctic Circle (66.5° S) are the edges of the polar
zones which can have days of 24 hour darkness and 24 hour light on the winter and summer
solstices respectively. (66.5° is the latitude because it is 90° – 23.5° of the tilt)
Be able to explain how and why the temperature of air affects its water vapor capacity.
Be able to define relative humidity and explain how an increase or decrease in temperature
affects the relative humidity of air (with a fixed amount of water vapor). Be able to define
dew point and know that it is dependent on the temperature and relative humidity of the air
(the higher the relative humidity, the less cooling that is required before condensation
forms.) Be able to solve problems similar to ones in the relative humidity lab.
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Be able to explain the differential heating of land and water. Know that water has a high
specific heat and be able to what this means. Be able to calculate specific heat problems
similar to those in specific heat lab.
Be able to compare how low pressure and high pressure zones relate to typical weather
patterns.
Be able to describe Hadley cells and Ferrell cells- including outlining the latitudes they occur
at, the general patterns of these convection currents and why they occur. Be able to relate
these convection cells to precipitation patterns. Be able to explain which latitudes are low
pressure zones and which are high pressure zones due to the Hadley and Ferrell convection
cells.
Be able to explain the Coriolis effect including why it occurs and how it effects wind, ocean
current movements in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Be able to describe the interaction of convection cells and Coriolis effect to produce global
wind patterns. Be able to diagram the 6 major zones of global wind patterns showing the
direction of winds. Know the terms trade winds, westerlies, polar easterlies, doldroms.
Know that winds are named for the direction of their origin.
Be able to explain the driving force of the ocean conveyor belt/ Thermohaline Circulation
patterns. Know that part of this circulation pattern is the Gulf Stream, and be able to
explain how the Gulf Stream affects the climate in Europe.
Be able to define upwelling and explain what wind patterns can cause it to occur. Know that
upwellings bring cold, nutrient rich water to the surface and typically increase the primary
productivity (photosynthetic activity) of a marine ecosystem.
Be able to explain El Niño/ENSO weather patterns and effects of this weather pattern.
Optional website for El Niño (ENSO):
http://esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/animations/26_NinoNina.html
Be able to explain what a rain shadow is and why it occurs. Be able to define windward and
leeward.
For the major biomes, know their general location, basic climate characteristics, some
general plant and animal adaptations and general plant and animal adaptations. Also, know
soil characteristics (for tropical rainforest, grasslands, boreal forest).
Know that mountainous regions often have a high degree of biodiversity because of
dramatic changes in climate over short distances with increased altitude.
Be able to describe the three different Milankovitch cycles: eccentricity, axial tilt and
precession and how these cycles would affect seasonal variation. Be able to explain that
decreased seasonal difference could cause increased glaciation because warmer winters can
have more snow fall (colder air has holds less moisture) and colder summers can cause less
melting of snow and ice.