Detect patterns in the distribution of temperatures on the earth’s surface

Detect patterns in the distribution of temperatures on the earth’s surface

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect Is this a Is this a

Good thing or Good thing or

a BAD thing??????a BAD thing??????

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect The The greenhouse effectgreenhouse effect is often misunderstood and is often misunderstood and

mistaken for "Global Warming". mistaken for "Global Warming".

The greenhouse effect is a The greenhouse effect is a good thinggood thing. .

It It moderates our temperaturemoderates our temperature. .

Here on earth the Here on earth the atmosphereatmosphere acts like acts like the glassthe glass on a on a greenhousegreenhouse keeping in much of the heat. keeping in much of the heat.

Consequently here on earth the nights are not as Consequently here on earth the nights are not as cold.cold.

Similar effect as clouds!!!Similar effect as clouds!!!

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect Planets Planets withoutwithout atmospheresatmospheres have an have an extreme extreme

variation in temperature between day and variation in temperature between day and night. night.

Facing the sun, they get the full intensity of the Facing the sun, they get the full intensity of the sun = sun = very hotvery hot..

In the night, absence of radiant sun light & In the night, absence of radiant sun light & atmosphere = atmosphere = very coldvery cold

No atmosphereNo atmosphere = nothing to hold heat in or = nothing to hold heat in or block it out!.block it out!.

Remember, here on earth Remember, here on earth the atmospherethe atmosphere reflects and absorbs reflects and absorbs almost 50%almost 50% of radiant of radiant energy. (see figure 4.4 p. 57 text)energy. (see figure 4.4 p. 57 text)

Generalize how temperatures tend to change as latitude changes - Do # 13 P. 58

Graphic representation shows :

• as latitude increases

• Generally temperature decreases!!!!!

Generalize how temperatures tend to change as latitude changes…cont’d

• Thermal Photography shows the same. #14 p. 59

Describe how the earth’s SHAPE causes temperature to decrease as you move North or South from the equator.

• At “B” (poles) larger surface area per unit of light

• Sharper angle causes more deflection.

• Therefore less heat intensityFig. 4.3 p. 56

• At “A” (Equator) smaller surface area per unit of light

• More direct hit• Therefore more heat

intensity

Round Shape of the earth gives the different

surface areas

An Analogy!!!!

• If you think about it, it does make sense.

• Throughout the day, when does the sun feel very hot and temperatures feel hotter

• In the noon day sun, WHY?

• The sun is more directly over head!...More direct, intense heat, covering a smaller surface area.

• While in the evening the sun, the sun is at a smaller angle, it does not feel as hot (cooler!!!!)

• In the evening , less direct and less intense heat.

Assess the accuracy of temperature descriptions…

Comment on each of the following statements. Some are incorrect! Pages 59/60

1. The farther South of the equator you go the warmer it gets. TRUE or FALSE?

• FALSE, Much like the north, the further you move away from the equator the cooler the temperature gets.

• However, in the south, unlike the north, the differences are not as great or noticeable.


2. Most cold but habitable locations are in the north. TRUE or FALSE?

• True, if we look at the January map, the colder temperatures represented by the greens and blues appear only in the north


3. The west coast of South and North America are warmer than the east. TRUE or FALSE?


3. The west coast of South and North America are warmer than the east. (Winter – North) TRUE or FALSE?


3. The west coast of South and North America are warmer than the east. (Summer – North) TRUE or FALSE?


• False, there are a variety of things occurring to make this false. (ie. Latitude, time of year, continent, mountains etc.)


4. WEST COAST temperatures for North America and Eurasia are colder than inland temperatures on the SAME LATITUDE. TRUE or FALSE?

• False, Generally they are actually warmer, especially during the winter months (oceans!)

• Marine VS Continental!!


5. Low latitude temperatures are always hot. TRUE or FALSE?

• TRUE. They are generally always warm/hot.

• Only one exception…..?

• High Altitudes at the low latitudes!!!!


6. In the high latitudes, there is a great difference between summer and winter temperatures. TRUE or FALSE?

TRUE and FALSE!• TRUE. Very noticeable between the January and July

maps…..

• FALSE!!!! Because…• It’s only true about the northern hemisphere!!!

Effects on Temperature patterns…so far are:

• Cloud cover / lack of cloud cover

• Latitude

• The earth’s curvature

• Sunlight-heat concentration or intensity.

Read about Temperature patterns

Try this site http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/paleo/ei/ei_cover.html

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Detect patterns in the distribution of temperatures on the earth’s surface