<<–2/”>a >a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/Elements-of-climate-and-weather/”>Elements of Climate and weather
- Climate is decided by a region’s climate system. A climate system has few major components: the Atmosphere, the layer, the cryosphere, and the land surface. The atmosphere is that the most variable a part of the climate system. The composition and movement of gases encompassing the planet will change radically, influenced by natural and man-made factors.
- Climate attributes
The most acquainted Options of a region’s climate area unit in all Probability Average temperature and Precipitation. Changes in every day, day-to-night, and seasonal differences additionally facilitate confirm specific climates. For instance, San Francisco, California, and Beijing, China, have similar yearly temperatures and precipitation. However, the daily and seasonal changes create San Francisco and Beijing very totally different. San Francisco’s winters don’t seem to be a lot of cooler than its summers, whereas Beijing is hot in summer and cold in winter. San Francisco’s summers are dry and its winters are wet. Wet and dry seasons are reversed in Beijing—it has rainy summers and dry winters.
- Climates have features which conjointly embody breeziness, humidity, Cloudiness, Atmospheric Pressure, and fogginess. Latitude plays an enormous factor in deciding climate. Landscape may also facilitate outline regional climate. A region’s elevation, proximity to the ocean or freshwater, and land-use patterns will all impact climate.
- All climates are the product of the many factors, as well as latitude, elevation, topography, distance from the ocean, and location on a continent.
- Of the varied environmental condition components, temperature, precipitation, pressure and winds are the foremost necessary owing to their way reaching international influences. These components and their distribution, whether or not horizontal from equatorial to polar regions, or vertical from ground to atmosphere, are in a way or another full of some or all of the environmental condition factors: latitude, altitude, continentality, ocean currents, insolation, prevailing winds, slope and facet, natural vegetation and Soil.
Temperature
- Importance of temperature
- Temperature influences the particular quantity of water vapor present within the air and therefore decides the moisture-carrying capability of the air.
- It decides the speed of Evaporation-and-condensation/”>Evaporation and Condensation, and so governs the degree of stability of the atmosphere.
- As relative humidity is directly associated with the temperature of the air, it affects the character and kinds of cloud formation and precipitation.
- Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of an object. We tend to observe one thing feeling hot (like the soup we drink when were sick) or cold (like the snow, particularly if one is not carrying gloves), were talking regarding temperature.
- The temperature of an object, typically measured in degrees-Fahrenheit or degrees-Celsius, tells us what quantity heat, or energy, the item has.
- The six broad factors affecting temperature of regions are viz. Latitude; Altitude; Continentality; Ocean currents and Wind; Slope, shelter and aspect; and Natural Vegetation and Soil.
Latitude
- The mid-day sun is sort of overhead inside the tropics; however outside the tropics the sun’s rays reach the earth at an angle.
- Temperature therefore diminishes from equatorial regions to the poles. Bands of rays coming back from the sun to 2 totally different latitudes on the earth’s surface.
- Band b falls vertically over the equatorial latitudes on equatorial surface E. Band a falls obliquely over the temperate latitudes on surface T.
Travels through a shorter distance and its focused solar insolation heats up a smaller surface areal temperature in therefore high.
- Travels through a extended distance and far of its heat is absorbed by clouds, water vapor and dirt particles. Its oblique ray has to heat up a large are; temperature is thus low.
Altitude
- Since the atmosphere is principally heated by conduction from the planet, it may be expected that places nearer to the earth’s surface are warmer than those in a higher place.
- Thus temperature decreases with increasing height on top of water level. This rate of decrease with altitude (lapse rate) is rarely constant, variable from place to position and from season to season.
- But for all sensible functions, it should be reckoned that a fall of 1deg F happens with an ascent of 300 feet or 0.6 deg C. per one hundred metres. It is sometimes a lot of in summer than in winter.
- For example in temperate latitudes, in summer, an ascent of solely 280 feet can cause the temperature to drop by one degree F., whereas in winter it needs four hundred feet.
- Similarly, the lapse rate is bigger by day than in the dark, larger on elevated highlands than on level plain.
- In tropical countries wherever the ocean level is 80 deg F., a city that’s situated at a height of 4,500 feet can record a mean temperature of 65 deg F.
Continentality
- Land surfaces are heated a lot of quickly than water surfaces, attributable to the upper heat of water.
- In different words, it needs solely one-third the maximum amount energy to lift the temperature of a given volume of land by 1 deg F, because it will for an equal volume of water.
- This accounts for the warmer summers, colder winters and larger range of temperature of continental interiors as compared with maritime districts.
Ocean Currents and Wind
- Both ocean currents and winds have an effect on temperature by transporting their heat or coldness into adjacent regions.
- Ocean currents just like the Gulf Stream or the North Atlantic Drift heat the coastal districts of Western Europe keeping their Ports ice- free.
- Ports set within the same latitude however washed by cold currents, like the cold currents, like the cold geographical area Current off north-east Canada, area unit frozen for many months.
- Cold currents additionally lower the summer temperature, notably after they area unit carried landward by on-shore winds. On the opposite hand on-shore Westerlies, convey a lot of tropical heat air to temperate coasts, particularly in winter.
- The Westerlies that come back to Britain and Norge tend to be cool winds in summer and heat winds in winter and area unit most useful in analgesic the climate.
- Local Winds, e.g. Foehn, Chinook, Sirocco, Mistral, additionally manufacture marked changes in temperature.
Within every ocean left Light arrow shows indicate heat currents, whereas right light indicates cold currents.
- Mountain ranges that have an east-west alignment just like the Alps show a better temperature on the south-facing ‘sunny slope’ than the north facing ‘sheltered slope’.
- The bigger insolation of the southern slope is best suited to vine cultivation and features a additional flourishing vegetative cover. Consequently, there are a lot of settlements and it’s higher utilised than the ‘shady slope’.
- A steep slope experiences a more speedy amendment in temperature than a mild one.
- In mountainous areas a hot day followed by calm, clear night during which the air cools faster over the upper slope might induce cold, significant air to blow down the slope and accumulate at the depression bottom pushing the hotter air upwards.
- The temperature might then be lower within the valley than above because the slopes. A reversal of the lapse rate has taken place. this can be referred to as a temperature inversion.
Natural vegetation and soil
- There may be a definite distinction in temperature between wooded regions and open ground.
- The thick foliage of the Amazon jungle cuts off a lot of the in- coming back insolation and in several places daylight never reaches the bottom. It is; in fact, cool within the jungle and its shade temperature could be a few degrees under that of open areas in corresponding latitudes.
- During the day trees lose water by evapo – Transpiration in order that the air on top of is cooled.
- Relative wetness will increase and mist and fog might kind.
- Light soils replicate additional heat than darker soils that area unit higher absorbers. Such soil variations might bring about to slight variations within the temperature of the region.
- As an entire, dry soils like sands area unit terribly sensitive to temperature changes, whereas wet soils, like clay, retain a lot of wetness and heat up or relax additional slowly.
Precipitation
- Types of Precipitation.
- If air is sufficiently cooled below dew-point, little drops of vapour can condense around dirt particles.
- When they float regarding as plenty of minute water droplets or ice crystals at a substantial height on top of water level, they kind clouds- cirrus, cumulus or stratus cloud.
- When condensation happens at ground level haze, mist or fogs are shaped.
- In higher latitudes or altitudes, wherever condensation of vapour might occur within the atmosphere at temperatures below freezing-point, snow falls, either as feathery flakes or individual ice crystals.
- If the damp air ascends speedily to the cooler layers of the atmosphere, the water droplets freeze into ice pellets and fall to the world as hail or hailstones.
- As more and more super-cooled water drops accumulate around a water ice, it will increase steady in size; a number of them weigh the maximum amount as 2 pounds.
- In a severe hail-storm the hailstones do great harm to crops and buildings.
- Very typically, the ice-pellets exist as frozen rain-drops, melting and re-freezing on their manner down; this forms sleet. only if droplets coalesce into 0.2mm-6mm size.
- Rainfall
There are 3 major sorts of precipitation.
- Convectional precipitation.
- This form of precipitation is most typical in regions that area unit intensely heated, either throughout the day, as within the tropics, or within the summer, as in temperate interiors.
- When the earth’s surface is heated by physical phenomenon, moisture-laden vapour rises as a result of heated air continually expands, and becomes lighter.
- Air rises during a convection current when a chronic amount of intense heating.
- While ascending, its vapour condenses into thundercloud clouds with an excellent vertical extent.
- Hot, rising air has nice capability for holding wetness that is lush in regions of high ratio.
- As the air rises it cools and once saturation is reached torrential downpours occurs, typically in the midst of thunder and lightning.
- The summer showers in temperate regions area unit equally significant with occasional thunderstorms.
- These downpours might not be entirely helpful for agriculture as a result of the rain is therefore intense that’s doesn’t sink into the soil however is drained off quickly.
Orographic or Relief rain.
- Unlike convectional rain that is caused by convection currents, Orographic rain is made where damp air is forced to ascend a mountain barrier.
- It is best developed on the windward slopes of Mountains wherever the prevailing moisture-laden winds come back from the ocean.
- The air is compelled to rise, and is thereby cooled by Growth within the higher altitudes and therefore the subsequent decrease in air pressure.
- Since it’s caused by the relief of the land, it’s conjointly called relief rain.
- Much of the precipitation older on the windward slopes of the north-east of West Malaysia, western New Zealand, western New Zealand, western Scotland and Wales and therefore the Assam hills of the Indian sub-continent is relief rain.
- On descendent the leeward slope, a decrease in altitude will increase each the pressure and therefore the temperature; the air is compressed and warm.
- Consequently, the ratio can drop. There’s evaporation and tiny or no precipitation. Space| within the lee of the hills is termed the country area.
- The effects of country area unit felt on the Canterbury Plain of South Island, New Zealand and therefore the western slopes of the Northern and Central Andes and in several different areas.
Cyclonic or frontal rain.
- This form of rain is independent of relief or convection.
- It is only related to cyclonic activity whether or not within the temperate regions (depressions) or tropical regions (Cyclones-2/”>Cyclones).
- Basically it’s attributable to the convergence (meeting) of 2 completely different air lots with different temperatures and alternative physical properties.
- As cold air is denser, it tends to stay near the bottom. The nice and cozy air is lighter and tends to rise over the cold air.
- In ascent pressure decreases, the air expands and cools, condensation takes place and light showers known as cyclonic or frontal rain occur.
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Climate Change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.
Climate variability is the variation in climate over time. It can be caused by natural factors, such as changes in solar radiation, or by human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions. Climate variability can lead to changes in weather patterns, such as changes in temperature, precipitation and sea level.
Climate modeling is the use of mathematical models to simulate the Earth’s climate. Climate models are used to study past climates, predict future climates and understand the Causes of Climate Change. Climate models are based on the laws of physics and chemistry. They use data from observations of the Earth’s climate, such as temperature, precipitation and sea level, to simulate the Earth’s climate.
Climate prediction is the use of climate models to predict future climate conditions. Climate prediction is used to assess the risks of climate change and to develop adaptation strategies. Climate prediction is based on the laws of physics and chemistry. It uses data from observations of the Earth’s climate, such as temperature, precipitation and sea level, to simulate the Earth’s climate.
Climate extremes are weather events that are outside the normal range of variability. Climate extremes can be caused by natural factors, such as changes in solar radiation, or by human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions. Climate extremes can lead to changes in weather patterns, such as changes in temperature, precipitation and sea level.
Climate impacts are the effects of climate change on the Environment, human Health and the economy. Climate impacts can be caused by changes in temperature, precipitation, sea level and extreme weather events. Climate impacts can be positive or negative. Positive impacts include increased agricultural yields in some areas. Negative impacts include increased risk of flooding, droughts and heat waves.
Climate adaptation is the process of adjusting to climate change. Climate adaptation can be used to reduce the risks of climate change and to take advantage of the opportunities that climate change may present. Climate adaptation can be implemented at the individual, community, national and international levels.
Climate mitigation is the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Climate mitigation can be used to slow the rate of climate change and to reduce the risks of climate change. Climate mitigation can be implemented at the individual, community, national and international levels.
Justice/”>Climate Justice is the fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of climate change. Climate justice recognizes that climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. Climate justice also recognizes that the impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed. Climate justice seeks to ensure that the most vulnerable people are protected from the impacts of climate change.
Climate diplomacy is the process of negotiating international agreements on climate change. Climate diplomacy is complex and challenging. It requires the participation of governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders. Climate diplomacy is essential to achieving a global solution to climate change.
Climate governance is the system of rules, institutions and processes that are used to manage climate change. Climate governance is complex and evolving. It includes international agreements, national policies and local initiatives. Climate governance is essential to addressing the challenges of climate change.
Climate science is the study of the Earth’s climate. Climate science is a multidisciplinary field that draws on physics, chemistry, biology, geology and other sciences. Climate science is essential to understanding the causes of climate change and to developing effective solutions.
Climate history is the study of the Earth’s climate over time. Climate history provides evidence of the natural variability of the Earth’s climate and the human impact on climate change. Climate history is essential to understanding the risks of climate change and to developing effective solutions.
Climate ethics is the study of the moral implications of climate change. Climate ethics addresses questions such as the responsibility for climate change, the distribution of the burdens of climate change and the ethics of climate mitigation and adaptation. Climate ethics is essential to developing a just and equitable response to climate change.
Climate economics is the study of the economic costs and benefits of climate change. Climate economics addresses questions such as the cost of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the cost of adapting to climate change and the economic impacts of climate change. Climate economics is essential to developing effective solutions to climate change.
Climate policy is the set of government policies that are used to address climate change. Climate policy includes international agreements, national policies and local initiatives. Climate policy is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
Climate Communication is the process of informing the public about climate change. Climate communication is essential to building public understanding of climate change and to mobilizing public support for action on climate change. Climate communication can be done through a variety of channels, including the media, Education and public outreach.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the following topics:
- Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, with respect to variables such as temperature, moisture, wind speed and direction, and barometric pressure.
- Atmosphere: The layer of gases that surrounds the Earth. It is held in place by the Earth’s gravity.
- Ocean: A large body of salt water that covers about 71% of the Earth’s surface.
- Land: The solid surface of the Earth, excluding the Oceans.
- Life: The condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, manifested by such characteristics as Metabolism, growth, Reproduction, and adaptation to the environment.
- Earth: The third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life.
- Solar System: The Sun and the objects that orbit it, including the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
- Galaxy: A large group of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity.
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Universe: All of space and time and their contents, including planets, stars, galaxies, and all other forms of matter and energy.
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What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, with respect to variables such as temperature, moisture, wind speed and direction, and barometric pressure. Climate is the average weather conditions over a long period of time, typically 30 years or more. -
What are the main components of the atmosphere?
The atmosphere is composed of four main gases: nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), argon (0.9%), and carbon dioxide (0.04%). It also contains water vapor, clouds, dust, and other particles. -
What are the main features of the Earth’s oceans?
The Earth’s oceans cover about 71% of the planet’s surface. They are home to a vast array of marine life, and they play a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate. -
What are the main features of the Earth’s landmasses?
The Earth’s landmasses are made up of seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. They are home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, and they play a vital role in the Earth’s ecosystem. -
What are the main features of life on Earth?
Life on Earth is incredibly diverse, and it exists in a wide range of environments. Some of the most common forms of life include Plants, animals, Fungi, and bacteria. -
What are the main features of the Earth?
The Earth is a planet that is located in The Solar System. It is the third planet from the Sun, and it is the only planet in the Solar System that is known to harbor life. The Earth is a terrestrial planet, which means that it is made up of rock and Metal. It has a solid surface, an atmosphere, and an ocean. -
What are the main features of the Solar System?
The Solar System is a system of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects that orbit the Sun. The Sun is a star, and it is the center of the Solar System. The planets are all large, round objects that orbit the Sun. The moons are smaller objects that orbit the planets. The asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun. The comets are small, icy objects that orbit the Sun. -
What are the main features of the Galaxy?
A galaxy is a large group of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. Galaxies come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains the Solar System. -
What are the main features of the Universe?
The Universe is all of space and time and their contents, including planets, stars, galaxies, and all other forms of matter and energy. The Universe is expanding, and it is thought to have begun with the Big Bang about 13.8 billion years ago.
Sure, here are some multiple choice questions without mentioning the topic climate:
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Which of the following is the most common type of rock?
(A) Igneous
(B) Sedimentary
(C) Metamorphic -
Which of the following is the largest ocean in the world?
(A) Pacific Ocean
(B) Atlantic Ocean
(C) Indian Ocean -
Which of the following is the highest mountain in the world?
(A) Mount Everest
(B) K2
(C) Mount Kilimanjaro -
Which of the following is the longest river in the world?
(A) Nile River
(B) Amazon River
(C) Yangtze River -
Which of the following is the largest continent in the world?
(A) Asia
(B) Africa
(C) North America -
Which of the following is the most populous country in the world?
(A) China
(B) India
(C) United States -
Which of the following is the most spoken language in the world?
(A) Mandarin Chinese
(B) Spanish
(C) English -
Which of the following is the most popular religion in the world?
(A) Christianity
(B) Islam
(C) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism -
Which of the following is the most valuable company in the world?
(A) Apple
(B) Microsoft
(C) Amazon -
Which of the following is the most popular sport in the world?
(A) Football (soccer)
(B) Cricket
(C) Baseball
I hope these questions were challenging and interesting!