Download 4.1_Climate

1. Review- What is climate
Infer- Why do you think temperatures at the top of
mountains are generally much cooler than at sea
level
2. Review- What are the main factors that determine
climate
Relate Cause and Effect- Explain what would likely
happen to global climate if there was a dramatic
decrease in greenhouse gases trapped in the
atmosphere.
CH 4 ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES
4.1 Climate
Weather and Climate

Weather
 Day-to-day

condition of Earth’s atmosphere
Climate
 Average
conditions and year-after-year patterns of
temperature and precipitation

Microclimate
 Differences
distances.
in environmental conditions over small
Solar Energy and the Greenhouse Effect


Solar energy is the main force that shapes our
climate
Some energy is reflected back into space, and some
is absorbed and converted into heat.
Solar Energy and the Greenhouse Effect


Some heat radiates back into space and some is
trapped in the biosphere
The Earth’s temperature depends on heat that
stays in the biosphere and heat lost to space.
Solar Energy and the Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Effect
 Gases
allow visible light to enter but trap heat
 Green house gases include: carbon dioxide, methane,
and water vapor.
Latitude and Solar Energy
Near the equator, solar energy is intense, as the
sun is almost directly overhead at noon all year
 Near the poles, solar energy is diluted
 Creates three different
climate zones: tropical,
temperate, and polar.

Heat Transport in the Biosphere


Unequal distribution of heat
creates wind and ocean
currents, which transport heat
and moisture
Warm air is less dense and rises,
and cool air is more dense and
sinks.
Heat Transport in the Biosphere




Surface water is pushed by winds
Ocean currents transport enormous amounts of
heat
Warm surface currents add moisture and heat to
air
Cool surface currents cool air.