Climate ChangeLesson 2

SNC2P Nicole Klement

Review of Lesson 1

The Spheres

Topography –Landforms

• Land forms such as mountain ranges play a large role in weather. As warm or cold air rises it meets at the peak of a mountain to create unique weather systems

Why is there more atmospheric pressure at sea level compared to on top of a mountain?

What would happen to atmospheric pressure in hot weather?

What about cold weather?

MountainsWhen mountain climbers are climbing to reach the summit, what can they expect in terms of temperature changes?

What can they expect in terms of temperature changes?

If the mountain is near a body of water (lake or ocean) will the weather be the same on both sides of the mountain?

Remember, for each 100m rise above sea level a 1C drop in temperature can be expected…..

The Hydrosphere

• The HYDROSPHERE is a term used to describe ALL the earth’s water:

• Lakes• Oceans• Rivers• Water vapour• Etc.

• Because water can hold temperatures for longer than air. Large bodies of water are called HEAT SINKS.

• Ever wonder why the water in a lake is still warm in October?

The Water Cycle

• Water has three states:• Liquid• Solid• Gas

• Due to waters cycling between these three states there is a term called the WATER cycle which describes the movement and CYCLE of water on earth.

The Hydrosphere - Water

• Water masses, currents and the water cycle play a large role in weather.

• We will watch this PBS clip to better understand one glacier’s role in water currents and weather

Hot Planet-Cold Comfort • What is the Great Atlantic Conveyor Belt and

what happens to global warming if it shuts down? Join Alan Alda as he explores some of the possible outcomes of climate change.(PBS , Runtime : 26:23)

• http://www.learn360.com/ShowVideo.aspx?ID=130847

More from the PBS videoWater Currents

• Ocean Currents – are formed by wind action and differences in density within the ocean water

• When water in the ocean flows in one general direction, it forms a current

• Some currents flow along the surface of the ocean while other flow deep under the ocean

Effects of Ocean Currents• Warm water causes more

evaporation and therefore more clouds form (this leads to more rain)

Water CurrentsCauses of Ocean Currents• 2 factors affect ocean currents

1. Energy from the sun2. Density of water

• Most of the oceans currents are a result of the Sun’s energy• The sun heats up the atmosphere, causing winds• Winds that blow across the surface of the ocean cause water to move• Cold water is denser than hot water (cold water sinks to deep parts of

the ocean while warmer water rises to the surface of the ocean)

Motions of the Oceans

Effects of Ocean Currents• Warm water causes more evaporation and

therefore more clouds form (this leads to more rain)

Global Winds

Global winds are caused by extreme pressure differences• They are less dense than normal winds (this allows them to

reach speeds of 500 km/hr)

• There are 4 different prevailing global winds on Earth1. Northeast Trade Winds2. Southeast Trade Winds3. Westerlies 4. Easterlies