GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY YEAR 1, PART 1 www.vicensvives.es
Contents 01 Our planet Earth 02 The representation of the Earth: maps 03 The Earth s relief 04 Rivers and seas 05 Weather and climate 06 Climates and landscapes of the Earth 07 Climas Society y and paisajes the environment de España, Europa y la CA
Weather and climate 1. The atmosphere 2. Temperature 3. Air humidity and precipitation 4. Atmospheric pressure and wind
Introduction The weather and the climate are affected by atmospheric phenomena. The weather describes the atmospheric conditions in a particular place at a particular time. Climate refers to atmospheric conditions that exist in a region over a long period of time.
1. The atmosphere 1.1. The atmosphere The structure of the atmosphere 1.2. The ozone layer
1.1. The atmosphere The atmosphere is a gaseous layer more than 1000 km thick that surrounds the Earth. The atmosphere stops the Sun's rays from directly reaching the Earth's surface.
The structure of the atmosphere
The structure of the atmosphere
1.2. The ozone layer Ozone, a gas produced in the Earth s atmosphere, forms a layer that stops ultraviolet light from reaching the Earth's surface. When the ozone layer comes into contact with other gases, such as gases from certain industries, holes appear in some places. Ultraviolet light rays penetrate these holes and reach the Earth's surface.
2. Temperature 2.1. Atmospheric temperature Action of solar rays Influence of the sea on daytime and nighttime breezes
2.1. Atmospheric temperature Atmospheric temperature is the amount of heat in the air from solar radiation. Latitude, altitude and distance from the sea influence temperature.
Action of solar rays
Influence of the sea on daytime and nighttime breezes
3. Air humidity and precipitation 3.1. Air humidity 3.2. Clouds and precipitation
3.1. Air humidity Humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air. The amount of water vapour that the air absorbs depends on the temperature. A hygrometer measures the degree of humidity in the air.
3.2. Clouds and precipitation When air rises, water vapour gets colder and condenses into droplets, forming clouds. If air continues to rise, or gets colder due to a drop in the temperature, rain forms. When the air temperature is very cold, ice crystals do not melt when they fall, forming snowflakes. Hail is formed when ice crystals are repeatedly carried higher by rising air currents.
4. Atmospheric pressure and wind 4.1. Atmospheric pressure The movement of air 4.2. The wind Distribution of atmospheric pressure and winds
4.1. Atmospheric pressure Atmospheric pressure is the weight or force that the air exerts on the surface of the Earth. Atmospheric pressure depends on altitude, air temperature and the air currents that circulate around the Earth, called jet streams. Warm air causes areas of low pressure, called depressions. Cold air causes areas of high pressure, called anticyclones.
The movement of air
The movement of air
4.2. The wind Wind is a mass of moving air that happens between two areas with different atmospheric pressures. Air always moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. There are different types of winds: prevailing winds, seasonal winds and local winds.
Distribution of atmospheric pressure and winds
Distribution of atmospheric pressure and winds