PHYSICAL AND HUMAN FACTORS THAT MAKE UP A REGION

8-4-14

Landforms•Landform- a natural feature of the earth's surface.

Vegetation•Vegetation- plants found in a particular area or habitat.

Climate•Climate- a region with reoccurring weather conditions

Biomes•Biomes- a large community occupying a major habitat

culture regions•culture regions- an area that has a distinct pattern of culture

trade networks•Trade Networks- An exchange system where buyers connect with sellers.

religion•Religion- the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

language•Language- the method of human communication, either spoken or written

political units•Political Unit- a unit of territory defined by boundaries set by political authority and usually having a separate political organization

supranational organization•Supranational Organization- an area outside or beyond the authority of one national government.

Trade Corridors•Trade Corridors- potential trade movement among the countries

Closing Task•You are to make a T-Chart and label one side Physical Factor, the other Human Factor.

•Sort the terms that we have just discussed in the appropriate column.

Earth-Sun Relationships

(How does one affect the other?)Weather and Climate

8/5/14

©2012, TESCCC

Weather vs. Climate

WeatherConditions of the atmosphere in one place during a limited time.

©2012, TESCCC

Weather vs. Climate

Climate•Weather patterns that an area typically experiences over a long period of time.

©2012, TESCCC

Tilt•Tilt: the angle of incline of the Earth’s axis affects the temperature of a place.

©2012, TESCCC

Revolution•Revolution: the Earth’s trip around the sun (one year)

©2012, TESCCC

Rotation•Rotation: the Earth completely rotates on its axis every 24 hours. (alternating between night and day)

©2012, TESCCC

Equinox•Equinox: when the Sun’s rays fall directly on the equator, day and night time hours are almost equal (Spring and Fall)

©2012, TESCCC

Solstice• Solstice: One of two days (June 21 and December 22)

on which the Sun’s rays strike directly on the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn, marking the beginning of summer and winter.

©2012, TESCCC

Direct rays•Direct rays: When a hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, the direct rays of the sun or angle of incidence is higher and it is summer in that hemisphere.

©2012, TESCCC

Indirect rays• Indirect rays: When a hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, the direct rays of the sun or angle of incidence is lower and it is winter in that hemisphere.

©2012, TESCCC

5 Major Circles of Latitude

Earth’s position in the solar system

©2012, TESCCC

3rd Planet from the Sun

Closing Task 8-5-14• You will define each of the 9 terms that we have

discussed today in your own words and draw a picture of it as well.

Indirect Rays Direct Rays SolsticeEquinox Rotation RevolutionTilt Weather Climate

8/6/14

Identify five factors that affect climate

and explain how each

affects climate.

How does latitude affect climate?

As latitude ________, the averageannual temperature _________.

0° Latitude 90°

Tem

per

atu

re

decreasesincreases

How does closeness to a large body of water affect climate?

Water __________ the temperature._______ summers. _______ winters.

City B is closer to a large body of water.

Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).

moderates

Cities A & B are located at the same latitude.

Cooler Warmer

•As air rises to pass over a mountain barrier it releases moisture as the air cools. This creates a wet side or windward side and a dry side or leeward side to mountain barriers.

Windward sides of mountain ranges receive higher average precipitation and leeward sides of mountain ranges tend to receive lower average precipitation.

How does the Orographic Effect

affect climate?

Windward Side: ___________Leeward Side: _____________

cool, moistwarm, dry

During summer, temperature is strongly controlled by elevation -- cold at the higher reaches of the Alaska and Brooks Ranges, and warmer in the lowlands.

How does elevation affect climate?

As elevation _________, the averageannual temperature __________.

Elevation

Tem

per

atu

re

increasesdecreases

How do ocean currentsaffect climate?

Warm Currents: warmer climateCold Currents: cooler climate

Closing Task•Write a short paragraph describing/ discussing the factors that affect climate.

The 4 Spheres

8/7/14

Lithosphere•Lithosphere – composed of the outermost shell of the earth; affected by weather, plate tectonics, erosion and soil building

Atmosphere•Atmosphere – comprised of the layer of air that surrounds the earth; especially affected by wind currents

Hydrosphere•Hydrosphere – comprised of all the water that is on earth including lakes, rivers, oceans and underground supplies; mostly affected by ocean currents

Biosphere• Biosphere – refers to the living

plants and animals that inhabit the land and water on the earth

• also known as ecosystems; affected by all the physical processes directly and indirectly; climate has the most direct relationship in the creation of the earth’s biospheres

Closing Task 8-7-14

• Students will create a graphic organizer on the following topics:

Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Biosphere.

• Students will do the following for each topic: • Define/ explain the topic• Draw a picture of the term