Unit 4: Climate Study Guide

Objective: This study guide will help you review the most IMPORTANT information from each lesson,
and help you prepare for the unit test. You CANNOT use this study guide on the test! I suggest you
print and study this with your Learning Coach before you take the test.

4.2 Heating Patterns

● The Earth heats unevenly because it is a sphere, which means sunlight hits different regions at
different angles. The sun’s energy heats certain areas more than others. Higher angles receive
more intense sunlight.
○ The sun hits areas near the equator most
directly, at a 90°, giving these regions a tropical
climate. Tropical climates have relatively
constant warm temperatures.
○ The sun’s energy reaches the Earth at about a
30° angle near the poles. With less energy,
these colder regions have a polar climate. Polar
climates have average temperatures of less
than 50°F.
○ The regions in between the equator and the
poles receive the sun’s rays at a 45° angle. These regions have a temperate climate.
Temperate climates are characterized as not having temperature or precipitation
extremes and having 4 seasons.

4.3 Atmospheric Currents

● The circulation between 0° and 30° (or any other region) will follow this pattern:
○ Hot air rises and moves toward 30° away from the equator.
○ The air will become cool and dense.
○ The air will sink back down to Earth and move back towards the equator.
● The tendencies of air currents moving as Earth rotates is known as the Coriolis Effect:
○ Moving air currents in the northern hemisphere tend toward the right.
○ Moving air currents in the southern hemisphere tend toward the left.
● The tilt of Earth’s axis causes uneven heating patterns, which causes air to rise and fall in
circulation patterns. The Coriolis effect turns the air currents to the right or left as Earth rotates.
The result is wind.

4.5 Ocean Currents

● The Coriolis Effect turns winds in the Northern Hemisphere to the right and winds in the
Southern Hemisphere to the left.
● The Coriolis Effect affects currents in the same way. In the Northern Hemisphere, currents
tend to move in a clockwise direction. In the Southern Hemisphere, currents tend to move in a
counterclockwise direction.
● The Gulf Stream and the Brazil Current are two of Earth’s major currents. Both are warm
water currents that begin near the equator. Both occur in the Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf Stream
carries warm water northeast. The Brazil Current carries warm water southwest.
4.5 Atmospheric Circulation
● In low-pressure systems, rising warm air cools and condenses into clouds. A low-pressure
system usually means rain. A high-pressure system occurs when sinking air creates warm, dry
weather.
● The polar jet stream is a narrow band of strong wind in the upper atmosphere. It is formed when
two circulation systems rub against each other. A cold air mass meets a warm air mass and this
boundary creates the polar jet stream.

4.6 Ocean Circulation

● Warm and cold ocean currents don’t change the temperature of land masses. Instead, warm
and cold ocean currents affect the temperature of the air above them. Climate is affected by the
circulation of warmer or cooler air over a land mass.
● Warm ocean currents bring warm air to polar climates (the poles). Cold currents bring cooler air
to tropical climates (the equator).

4.7 Thermal Energy

● Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy when particles collide. It transfers because the
objects are touching each other. Some materials conduct heat better than others. Metal
conducts heat better than wood, glass, or plastic, for example.
● Convection is the system of thermal transfer in which hot materials rise upward until it becomes
cool enough - and dense enough - to sink back down. Convection creates atmospheric
circulation patterns that govern winds and ocean currents. The high- and low-pressure systems
created by convection currents dictate the nature of storms.
○ When the warm air rising over the land and water in a convection current is even
warmer, stronger storms will happen!
● Global warming is at record highs due to an increase in burning of fossil fuels for energy.
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and greenhouse gases
trap thermal energy here on Earth. Because of an increase in greenhouse gases, the amount of
thermal energy on Earth is steadily increasing.

4.8 The Climate System

● Radiation from the sun heats Earth’s surface. Due to the tilt of Earth on its axis and the shape of
Earth, the sun heats Earth unevenly. Areas near the equator receive a lot more thermal energy
than areas north or south of the equator.
● Because of the sun’s uneven heating, some air is warmer than other air. The warmer air rises,
creating a convection current. Air moving in the convection currents create winds.
● The Coriolis effect causes the convection currents in the atmosphere to turn to the right in the
northern hemisphere.
● Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system. Scientists agree on the main
cause of global warming. It’s human activity, specifically the burning of fossil fuels. Agreeing to
use alternative energy sources, like wind and solar energy, instead of fossil fuels will help.

4.9 Earth’s Biomes

● A biome is a group of regions on Earth that have similar plant and animal life. The climates of
these regions are similar. Different parts of Earth can have the same biome, even if they’re
nowhere near each other.
● Tropical Rainforests: located near the equator; high precipitation; warm temperatures year
round; monkeys, sloths, reptiles and amphibians are common.
● Deciduous Forests: Found in the northern hemisphere; hot summers, but cold winters; squirrels
and songbirds are common.
● Grasslands: Found on almost every continent; hot summers and cold winters; large trees don’t
survive because of lack of water.
● Taiga: Found further north than grasslands; precipitation falls in the summer; moose, wolves,
and bears are common.
● Deserts: driest biomes - small amount of precipitation per year; can be very hot or very cold
temperatures; only plants that require little water and can tolerate heat survive; jackrabbits,
rattlesnakes, coyotes, gila monsters are common.
○ Antarctica is a desert!
● Tundra: Found in extreme northern regions; also low yearly precipitation; bitterly cold;
permafrost covers ground; polar bears, arctic owls, caribou common.