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Climates of the World. Section 1. 2.5 relate major climate and vegetation regions of the world.
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Climates of the World Section 1 2.5 relate major climate and vegetation regions of the world
The sun, the brightest star in our sky, is a major factor in creating Earth’s climates. The sun, composed of hydrogen, helium, and other gases, rotates on an axis at about the same angle as the earth’s axis. Only a tiny fraction of the power generated by the sun reaches the earth.
Climate and Weather • Weatheris the condition of the atmosphere in a certain place at a specific time. • Theclimateof an area is its long-term typical weather pattern. • The climate of an area is determined by many things; the most important is the earth’s position in relation to the sun. 2.6 describe factors that influence climate regions
Earth’s Tilt and Rotation • Earth is currently tilted at an angle of about 23½°. Because of the tilt of this axis, not all places on Earth receive the same amount of direct sunlight at the same time.
Earth’s Revolution • Earth travels in an orbit around the sun, completing one trip about every 365 days. • The seasons are caused by the earth’s revolutionaround the sun and the earth’s tilt. • The Equator divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. When one hemisphere experiences winter, the other experiences summer.
The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn • The line of latitude at 23½°N is called the Tropic of Cancer–the northernmost latitude on the earth to receive the sun’s direct rays. • The line of latitude at 23½°S is called the Tropic of Capricorn–the southernmost latitude to receive the sun’s direct rays.
The Poles • The North Pole and the South Pole are located at either end of the earth’s axis. • Each Pole receives continuous indirect sunlight six months each year. • While one receives continuous sunlight, the other receives little to no sunlight.
The Greenhouse Effect • Part of the sun’s radiation passes through Earth’s atmosphere. • Like the glass in a greenhouse, the atmosphere keeps the heat from escaping back into space too quickly. • Humans have altered Earth’s atmosphere by burning fuels that release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
