Natural Causes of Climate 3B Day 2
Critical Content 3B: Investigate how daily weather over time determines climate patterns in a given region 2C: Recall the difference between weather and climate Describe the natural causes of different climates Make connections between daily weather and the climate in given regions
Reviewing 1. How are weather and climate similar? 2. How are weather and climate different?
Previewing I m planning a trip and I want to have some fun in the sun. But I m not sure when or where to go! What location would be best to guarantee Sun at all times of the year? Make a prediction: Why is it always sunny in that location?
Station 1- Concentration of Solar Energy
Station 1- Content: Concentration of Solar Radiation (sun s energy) heats the earth Energy When the sun s energy is very concentrated, it warms the earth faster When the sun s energy is more spread out, it warms the warms the earth slower Places near the equator receive direct sunlight Places closer to the poles have sunlight that is more spread out
Station 1- Directions: Concentration of Solar Energy Keep the tube wrapped around the flashlight Trial 1-90* Angle [At the equator] 1. Hold the flashlight so it is directly pointing down at the graph paper 2. Measure so that the end of the tube on the flashlight is 6 inches from the graph paper 3. On the graph paper, draw a line around the circle of light 4. Count the number of boxes the light covers (if it covers more than ½ a box, count it!) Trial 2-45* Angle [In Des Moines] 1. Hold the flashlight so it is pointing down at the graph paper at an angle 2. Measure so that the end of the tube on the flashlight is 6 inches from the graph paper 3. On the graph paper, draw a line around the circle of light 4. Count the number of boxes the light covers (if it covers more than ½ a box, count it!) More concentrated= smaller number of boxes Less concentrated= larger number of boxes
Station 1- Questions: Concentration of Solar Energy 1. If light is concentrated (bright) on an area, will it be hotter or colder? Explain why using sun s energy in your explanation? 2. What areas on the globe would have a large concentration of sun? What is the climate like in those location? 3. What areas on the globe would have a small concentration of sun? What is the climate line in those locations? 4. Summarize this station and explain how concentration of solar energy helps determine climate
Station 2- Latitude of Solar Energy
Station 2- Content: Latitude of Solar Energy Latitude is the primary factors that affects how much solar energy gets to the surface Energy is more intense at the equator and less intense towards the poles But the Earth is tilted so the Northern and Southern Hemisphere don t receive the sun s energy at the same time
Station 2- Content: Latitude of Solar Energy When the Earth is tilted away from the Sun, it receives less energy (we call this winter) Seasonal changes are very small near the equator because it receives almost direct sunlight all year (ex: summer-like all year) When the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, it receives more energy (we call this summer) Seasonal changes are very large towards the poles because the amount of sunlight is different all year (ex: have all 4 seasons each year)
Station 2- Direction: Latitude of Solar Energy 1. Place the earth on the orbit at the place marked #1 (cup #1 pointing towards sun) 2. Record what part of the world is receiving (1) most light, (2) some light, (3) least light 3. Place the earth on the orbit at place marked #2 (cup #2 is pointing towards sun) 4. Record what part of the world is receiving (1) most light, (2) some light, (3) least light
Station 2- Questions: Latitude of Solar Energy 1. How does the Earth s tilt and the Sun create the seasons? 2. At the equator, what is the climate like in the Summer? Winter? 3. Closer to the poles, what is the climate like in the Summer? Winter? 4. At which part of the globe (equator or close to poles) will have a greater change in seasons? Why? 5. Summarize this station and explain how latitude of solar energy helps determine climate
Station 3- Altitude Midwest= low altitude and flat land Snow at the top of the mountain Rocky Mountain range= high altitudes Green grass at the bottom of the mountain
Station 3- Content: Latitude As you go farther up in the atmosphere, the distance between the air molecules increases (because the amount of air molecules is less) Larger space between molecules creates colder climates because heat can t transfer through conduction Molecule spacing at the top of the mountain Molecule spacing at the bottom of the mountain If the molecules can t touch, they can t pass on their heat
Station 3- Directions: Latitude 1. Pour hot water into the cup 2. Observe the spacing of the steam particles as it rises 3. Place the cup in the location marked on your table 4. Using the thermometer, measure the temperature of the steam coming off the cup at the heights indicated on the stand
Station 3- Directions: Latitude 1. What is the climate like in locations that have a high elevation? 2. What is the climate like in locations that have a low elevation? 3. Why does the climate change as the elevation changes? 4. Summarize this station and explain how elevation of land helps determine climate
Station 4- Wind and Water Currents
Station 4- Content: Wind and Water Currents Wind blows due to the uneven heating of air. If hot air rises, cool air takes it s place (that cool air is wind!) As wind blows, it moves everything under it. If wind blows warm water towards something, it is blowing heat towards that location If wind blows cold water towards something, it is blowing cold towards that location If the location is near the coast line, the weather stays relatively neutral (not ice/not boiling) but it can still be warmer or colder
Station 4- Directions: Wind and Water Currents 1. Sprinkle a pinch of pepper over the water (the pepper should float) 2. Have one team member blow gently over the pepper to cause the pepper to move 3. Record/draw the movement of the pepper when the wind stops moving
Station 4- Questions: Wind and Water Currents 1. What causes wind to blow? 2. In the trade winds band: a) Does the wind flow towards or away from the equator? b) What will happen to the flow of the water? c) What temperature of water will be near the equator? 3. In the polar easterlies band: a) Does the wind flow towards or away from the poles? b) What will happen to the flow of water? c) What temperature of water will flow from the poles? 4. Summarize this station and explain how the flow of wind and water currents helps determine climate