Basic Facts in Chapter 8

8.1 Include these when describing the weather Temperature Type and amount of precipitation Wind speed Relative humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air relative to the maximum amount of water that it is possible for the air to hold at the temperature) Atmospheric pressure (the force exerted on a surface by the weight of the air above it) Presence of fog, mist, or cloud cover What is the difference between Climate and Weather? Climate is the average of the weather in a region over a long period of time and Weather is atmospheric conditions, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity, in a particular location over a short period of time Who studies Climate and Weather? Meteorologists study Weather. Climatologists, Paleoclimatologists, Atmospheric scientists and Climate modellers studies Climate 8.2 Climate Zones In early 1900s, a scientist named Vladimir Koppen used temperature, precipitation and plant communities to identify climate zones. Current systems are similar to Koppens system, but his findings have been revised. Ecoregions New climate zones which focus on the ecology of the regions. Major Ecozones are divided into Ecoregions Bioclimate Profiles Bioclimate profiles only describe the climate. Bioclimate describe the locations projected climate 40 to 80 years into the future. Why do Climate Zones exists (Factors affecting climate)? The distance from the equator (latitude) The presence of large bodies of water The presence of ocean currents Land formations The height above the sea level (altitude) 8.3 What is Climate system? Interaction between air, land, liquid water, ice, living things and the sun produce climate zones. The sun emits a different types of radiation Ultraviolet radiation invisible, short wavelength, higher energy radiation Infrared - invisible, long wave length, low energy radiation Visible light What happens when radiation hits the Earth? The radiation may be absorbed by the particle, causing the particle to gain energy. The radiation may be transmitted through the particle The radiation may be reflected off the particle 30% of radiation is reflected back to space by clouds, particles in the atmosphere and Earths surface 70% is absorbed by the earths surface, clouds and certain gases in the atmosphere As earths surface temperature increases it heats the air above