Understanding Earth's Climate Factors

1. Monday, September 21 • Power Point study guide: “Factors That Influence the Climate of the Earth (Part I)” • “The Earth-Sun Relationship and the Climate” worksheet Update Grade Sheet: 4) Unit One Test 09/10 Get out a pen or pencil, a blank sheet of Notebook paper and clear everything else off of your desk.

2. Melbourne, Australia What appears to be unusual about Melbourne’s annual climate, relative to our annual climate patterns?

3. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE CLIMATES OF THE EARTH MAIN IDEA: Over the next two day we are going to identify and examine the various factors that influence the “climate” of a region. the earth’s “air” the earth’s “surface” the earth’s “living organisms” the earth’s “water”

4. DIRECTIONS: Write and circle a #2 and your heading at the top of your study guide. We will be completing only the front side today.

5. Climate is a significant factor in describing the geography of places/ regions on the earth. Why?

6. Because the climate of a place/ region affects the way that people in an area live! Remember, what we are interested in is how people adapt to their unique physical environment.

7. Let’s first start by examining the difference between “weather” and “climate” (they describe two different things):

8. Weather: describes conditions of the atmosphere in one place during a short period of time. “Weather” describes what it is like outside right now: hot, cold, dry, rainy, humid, cloudy, sunny, etc). “Weather” can suddenly change from day to day.

9. Climate: describes the weather patterns typical for an area over long periods of time. Unlike “weather”, climate does not suddenly change from day to day.

10. Think of South Texas’ “climate” in terms of its seasons. Today we are going to examine one of the main factors that influences the climate of the Earth. Summer Fall Winter Spring

11. It takes 365 days for the earth complete one orbit around the sun. However, as the earth orbits the sun are the direct rays of the sun shining on the same line of latitude at every date of the year? Why?

12. …because the earth rotates 23.5° on its axis. As a result, as the Earth orbits the sun, different regions (latitudes) of the Earth receives more of the sun’s direct rays throughout the year.

13. On June 21 which hemisphere would have a warmer climate? Why? June 21 December 22

14. On June 21 which hemisphere would have a warmer climate? Why? * The Northern Hemisphere– the Northern Hemisphere is receiving more of the direct rays of the sun and thus more of the sun’s energy'. June 21 December 22

15. MAIN CAUSE OF THE EARTH’S CHANGING SEASONS / ANNUAL CLIMATE Because the earth is tilted on its axis, not all places (latitudes) on earth receive the same amount of direct sunlight as it orbits around the sun.

16. On December 22 which hemisphere would have a warmer climate? Why? June 21 June 21 December 22

17. On December 22 which hemisphere would have a warmer climate? * The Southern Hemisphere. Why? June 21 December 22 SEASON??? SEASON??? Because the Southern Hemisphere is receiving more of the Sun’s direct rays and as a result would be warmer than the Northern Hemisphere.

18. On the two dates below, what parts of the earth are receiving the direct rays of the sun? (In other words, which latitudes of the earth are closest to the sun?) June 21 December 22

19. Solstice: the day on which the direct rays of the sun are at either the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) or the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S). June 21 December 22 These lines of latitude are the farthest north (23.5°N) and south (23.5°S) that receive the direct rays of the Sun.

20. The Solstice also marks the beginning a new season (“Summer” or “Winter”) in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres June 21 December 22 Summer Winter Summer Winter

21. As the month of September goes on, what is happening to the length of the day (in terms of daylight)? http://www.sunrisesunset.com/custom_srss_calendar.asp

22. What about for this city?

23. On December 21, which hemisphere would have the longest day (in terms of daylight)?

24. On December 21, which hemisphere would have the longest day (in terms of daylight)? Has darkness 24 hours a day Has daylight 24 hours a day Has daylight 24 hours a day Has darkness 24 hours a day

25. On March 21 and September 23, what parts (latitudes) of the Earth are receiving the direct rays of the Sun? March 21 June 21 December 22 * September 23

26. Equinox: the two dates when the sun’s rays are shining directly on the equator. March 21 June 21 December 22 * September 23

27. The Equinox also marks the beginning a new season (“Spring” or “Fall”) in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres March 21 June 21 December 22 * September 23

28. Parts of the Earth receiving the direct rays of the Sun though out the year. ? June 21 March 21 September 23 December 22

29. Label the “seasons” for the Northern Hemisphere and what line of latitude would be receiving the direct rays of the Sun. March 21 December 22 June 21 * September 23

30. * Labels of seasons below refer to the seasons for the Northern Hemisphere March 21 “Spring” Equinox December 22 “Winter” Solstice June 21 “Summer” Solstice * Remember, the “seasons” would be reversed for the Southern Hemisphere. September 23 “Fall” Equinox

31. Tomorrow we will identify and examine the other factors that influence the climate of a region/ place. the Earth’s orbit on its axis around the Sun FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CLIMATE

32. DIRECTIONS: • Place your study guide in section II of your Notebook. We will finish it tomorrow. • Get out a blank sheet of paper write your heading and the following title: • “ The Earth-Sun Relationship and the Climate”

33. DIRECTIONS: 3) Answer the questions on the handout provided to you on your blank sheet of paper. Make sure you read the directions! Due before you leave.

34. March 21 December 22 June 21 * September 23

35. THE END

37. Melbourne, Australia What information is this graph illustrating?

38. …the Earth’s orbit around the Sun!

39. * Labels of seasons below refer to the seasons for the Northern Hemisphere March 21 “Spring” Equinox December 22 June 21 ??? * September 23

40. * Labels of seasons below refer to the seasons for the Northern Hemisphere March 21 “Spring” Equinox December 22 June 21 “Summer” Solstice * September 23 ???

41. * Labels of seasons below refer to the seasons for the Northern Hemisphere March 21 “Spring” Equinox December 22 ??? June 21 “Summer” Solstice * September 23 “Fall” Equinox

42. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE CLIMATES OF THE EARTH MAIN IDEA: Identify and describe how annual changes in the relationship between the Earth and the Sun affect the climate.

43. Parts of the Earth receiving the direct rays of the Sun June 21 “Summer” Solstice * Labels of seasons refer to the Northern Hemisphere

44. Parts of the Earth receiving the direct rays of the Sun June 21 Summer Solstice September 23 “Fall” Equinox * Labels of seasons refer to the Northern Hemisphere

45. Parts of the Earth receiving the direct rays of the Sun June 21 Summer Solstice September 21 Fall Equinox December21 “Winter” Solstice * Labels of seasons refer to the Northern Hemisphere

46. Parts of the Earth receiving the direct rays of the Sun June 21 Summer Solstice March 21 “Spring” Equinox September 23 Fall Equinox December 22 Winter Solstice * Labels of seasons refer to the Northern Hemisphere

47. Parts of the Earth receiving the direct rays of the Sun ? June 21 Summer Solstice March 21 Spring Equinox September 23 Fall Equinox December 22 Winter Solstice * Labels of seasons refer to the Northern Hemisphere

48. Where on the earth and on what dates would have an equal amount of daylight and night hours? Why?

49. What dates have an equal amount of daylight and night? Why? June 21 and September 21; because the direct rays of the sun are on the equator.