World Geography 3202Unit 2: Climate

Patterns in the Distribution of Temperatures

The Greenhouse EffectThe process whereby gases in the

atmosphere (carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, and CFC’s) slow down the reradiating of energy at longer wavelengths. The energy is then retained longer, delaying its return into space.Thus the atmosphere is warmed due to the

inability of heat to be re-radiated into space quickly enough.

The Greenhouse effect.When radiation comes from the sun only

the light at short wavelengths can enter our atmosphere.

Once the light is absorbed by our planet it changes into longer wavelengths, infrared.

Gasses in our atmosphere (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, and CFC’s) absorb this light.

The greenhouse effect moderates world temperatures. Planets without atmospheres have an extreme variation in temperature between day and night. Here on earth the atmosphere reflects and absorbs almost 50% of radiant energy.

On those planets where there is no atmosphere it gets very cold in the night due to the absence of radiant sun light. Without an atmosphere these planets have nothing to hold heat in. Here on earth the atmosphere acts like the glass on a greenhouse keeping in much of the heat. Consequently here on earth the nights are not as cold.

The Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect vs. Global Warming

Naturally there is balance between the amount of energy put in by the sun and let out by earth.

The Greenhouse Effect is necessary and is a very good thing. Because of our atmosphere trapping in certain levels of heat we are able to have life on our planet.

However due to the increase of these gases from automobiles, factories, farming, and other sources the balance is thrown off, energy release is being delayed.

The earth is warming. This is what is referred to as Global Warming. It is a result of people not being aware of how their actions are affecting the Earth in the long term.

Latitude and TemperatureGenerally it can be said that as latitude

increases temperature decreases.We see that temperatures in the tropics are

higher than in the subtropics, and so on having the arctic being the coldest.

Factors that Influence ClimateLatitude:

How far North or South a place is from the equator influences how warm or cool it will be. Areas closer to the poles are colder.

The amount of radiation (heat) an area receives depends on the angle of the suns rays.

At the equator the suns rays are straight covering a smaller area

At higher latitudes the same amount of radiation must cover a larger area. The energy gets spread out.

Latitude vs Temp GraphConstruct a scatter plot graph of the

following data to see the relationship between Latitude and temperature

Hint: Start your X-Axis at -60 then go across by intervals of 20 degrees of latitude. Use Temperature on your Y-Axis.

What Season Is It In The Northern Hemisphere?

What Season Is It In the Northern Hemisphere

Why Is It that the Southern Hemisphere Seems More Moderate?

The southern hemisphere has much more water.

Water holds more heat, thus stays warmer longer.