Geography Affects Climate - Middle School Earth and Space Science
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What are the three major latitude-based climate zones?
What are the three major latitude-based climate zones?
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Tropical, temperate, and polar zones. Based on amount of solar radiation received.
Tropical, temperate, and polar zones. Based on amount of solar radiation received.
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Which latitude zone receives the most direct solar energy on average?
Which latitude zone receives the most direct solar energy on average?
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Low latitudes near the equator (the tropics). Direct overhead sun year-round at equator.
Low latitudes near the equator (the tropics). Direct overhead sun year-round at equator.
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What is the primary climate effect of a warm ocean current along a coast?
What is the primary climate effect of a warm ocean current along a coast?
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Warmer, often wetter coastal conditions. Warm water increases evaporation and air temperature.
Warmer, often wetter coastal conditions. Warm water increases evaporation and air temperature.
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What latitude value defines the equator?
What latitude value defines the equator?
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$0^\circ$ latitude. The equator divides Earth into northern and southern hemispheres.
$0^\circ$ latitude. The equator divides Earth into northern and southern hemispheres.
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Which latitude zone receives the most direct sunlight on average: low, middle, or high latitudes?
Which latitude zone receives the most direct sunlight on average: low, middle, or high latitudes?
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Low latitudes. Near the equator, sun rays hit most directly year-round.
Low latitudes. Near the equator, sun rays hit most directly year-round.
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What are the three major latitude-based climate zones on Earth?
What are the three major latitude-based climate zones on Earth?
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Tropical, temperate, and polar zones. These zones reflect decreasing solar energy from equator to poles.
Tropical, temperate, and polar zones. These zones reflect decreasing solar energy from equator to poles.
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What is the main reason average temperature decreases from the equator to the poles?
What is the main reason average temperature decreases from the equator to the poles?
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Sunlight is less direct at high latitudes, so energy is spread over a larger area. Angle of sunlight decreases with latitude.
Sunlight is less direct at high latitudes, so energy is spread over a larger area. Angle of sunlight decreases with latitude.
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What is latitude, and how is it measured on Earth?
What is latitude, and how is it measured on Earth?
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Angular distance north or south of the equator, in degrees ($0\degree$ to $90\degree$). Measured from 0° at equator to 90° at poles.
Angular distance north or south of the equator, in degrees ($0\degree$ to $90\degree$). Measured from 0° at equator to 90° at poles.
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What is the primary climate effect of a cold ocean current along a coast?
What is the primary climate effect of a cold ocean current along a coast?
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Cooler, often drier coastal conditions (reduced evaporation). Cold water suppresses evaporation and cools air.
Cooler, often drier coastal conditions (reduced evaporation). Cold water suppresses evaporation and cools air.
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How does elevation generally affect temperature in a region?
How does elevation generally affect temperature in a region?
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Higher elevation usually means lower temperature. Temperature drops ~6.5°C per 1000m elevation gain.
Higher elevation usually means lower temperature. Temperature drops ~6.5°C per 1000m elevation gain.
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Identify the likely climate difference between two cities at the same latitude: one coastal, one inland.
Identify the likely climate difference between two cities at the same latitude: one coastal, one inland.
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Coastal city: milder temperatures; inland city: greater temperature extremes. Ocean moderates coastal temps; land allows extremes.
Coastal city: milder temperatures; inland city: greater temperature extremes. Ocean moderates coastal temps; land allows extremes.
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Which side of a mountain range is typically drier if prevailing winds blow from the ocean toward the mountains?
Which side of a mountain range is typically drier if prevailing winds blow from the ocean toward the mountains?
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The leeward side is typically drier. Moisture depleted on windward side before reaching leeward.
The leeward side is typically drier. Moisture depleted on windward side before reaching leeward.
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Choose the location likely to be colder: a town at $2{,}500\text{ m}$ or a town at $200\text{ m}$ elevation.
Choose the location likely to be colder: a town at $2{,}500\text{ m}$ or a town at $200\text{ m}$ elevation.
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The town at $2{,}500\text{ m}$ elevation. Higher elevation means thinner air and less heat retention.
The town at $2{,}500\text{ m}$ elevation. Higher elevation means thinner air and less heat retention.
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Identify which has greater seasonal daylight variation: $60\degree$ latitude or $10\degree$ latitude.
Identify which has greater seasonal daylight variation: $60\degree$ latitude or $10\degree$ latitude.
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$60\degree$ latitude has greater seasonal daylight variation. Higher latitudes have more extreme summer/winter day lengths.
$60\degree$ latitude has greater seasonal daylight variation. Higher latitudes have more extreme summer/winter day lengths.
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Which option best predicts precipitation on a windward mountain slope compared with the leeward slope?
Which option best predicts precipitation on a windward mountain slope compared with the leeward slope?
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Windward slope receives more precipitation than the leeward slope. Orographic lifting causes rain on windward side.
Windward slope receives more precipitation than the leeward slope. Orographic lifting causes rain on windward side.
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What is the rain shadow effect caused by mountain ranges?
What is the rain shadow effect caused by mountain ranges?
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Wet windward side and dry leeward side due to rising, cooling, and precipitation. Moist air drops rain on windward, dry air descends leeward.
Wet windward side and dry leeward side due to rising, cooling, and precipitation. Moist air drops rain on windward, dry air descends leeward.
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Which warms and cools more slowly, land or water, and what climate effect results?
Which warms and cools more slowly, land or water, and what climate effect results?
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Water; it moderates nearby temperatures and reduces extremes. Water's high specific heat creates stable temperatures.
Water; it moderates nearby temperatures and reduces extremes. Water's high specific heat creates stable temperatures.
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What does "continental climate" mean in terms of geography and temperature range?
What does "continental climate" mean in terms of geography and temperature range?
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Land-influenced interior climate with larger temperature ranges. Land heats/cools rapidly without ocean moderation.
Land-influenced interior climate with larger temperature ranges. Land heats/cools rapidly without ocean moderation.
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What is orographic lifting in relation to mountains and precipitation?
What is orographic lifting in relation to mountains and precipitation?
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Air is forced upward over mountains, cools, and produces precipitation. Rising air expands, cools, and releases moisture.
Air is forced upward over mountains, cools, and produces precipitation. Rising air expands, cools, and releases moisture.
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What does "maritime climate" mean in terms of geography and temperature range?
What does "maritime climate" mean in terms of geography and temperature range?
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Ocean-influenced climate with smaller annual and daily temperature ranges. Water's high heat capacity moderates temperatures.
Ocean-influenced climate with smaller annual and daily temperature ranges. Water's high heat capacity moderates temperatures.
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What is the key latitude-based reason seasons are stronger in temperate zones than in the tropics?
What is the key latitude-based reason seasons are stronger in temperate zones than in the tropics?
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Greater annual change in Sun angle and day length at mid-latitudes. Tropics have minimal sun angle variation year-round.
Greater annual change in Sun angle and day length at mid-latitudes. Tropics have minimal sun angle variation year-round.
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Identify the latitude lines that bound the tropical zone.
Identify the latitude lines that bound the tropical zone.
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Between the Tropic of Cancer ($23.5\degree$ N) and Tropic of Capricorn ($23.5\degree$ S). Sun directly overhead at these latitudes during solstices.
Between the Tropic of Cancer ($23.5\degree$ N) and Tropic of Capricorn ($23.5\degree$ S). Sun directly overhead at these latitudes during solstices.
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Which option best describes why coastal areas often have more moderate climates than inland areas?
Which option best describes why coastal areas often have more moderate climates than inland areas?
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Nearby water heats and cools slowly, reducing temperature extremes. Ocean's thermal inertia buffers temperature changes.
Nearby water heats and cools slowly, reducing temperature extremes. Ocean's thermal inertia buffers temperature changes.
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What latitude range is commonly used for the polar zones?
What latitude range is commonly used for the polar zones?
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About $66.5^\circ$ to $90^\circ$ N/S. From the Arctic/Antarctic circles to the poles.
About $66.5^\circ$ to $90^\circ$ N/S. From the Arctic/Antarctic circles to the poles.
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What latitude range is commonly used for the temperate zones?
What latitude range is commonly used for the temperate zones?
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About $23.5^\circ$ to $66.5^\circ$ N/S. Between the tropics and the Arctic/Antarctic circles.
About $23.5^\circ$ to $66.5^\circ$ N/S. Between the tropics and the Arctic/Antarctic circles.
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