EARTH-SUN RELATIONSHIPS Tilt: the angle of incline of the
earths axis affects the temperature of a place. Earths Tilt is at
23 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. 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.
Slide 3
4 SPHERES OF EARTH Lithosphere- Earths crust and solid upper
mantle includes rocks, landforms, and other physical features
Earths crust is divided into large slabs of rock called tectonic
plates Continents are attached by the asthenosphere Plate movement
shapes Earths surface Biosphere- refers to all life on Earth
Ecosystems Biomes Weather & climate influences where plants
& animals can live and thrive
Slide 4
4 SPHERES OF EARTH Atmosphere-envelope of gases that absorbs
radiation, moderates temperature, and distributes water Greenhouse
Effect- Layer of gases (ozone, methane, carbon dioxide, and water
vapor) that absorbs heat and distributes it around the earth.
Natural way for Earth to retain its warmth and for plants and
animals to survive. Hydrosphere- all of Earths water, including
oceans, lakes, rivers, and underground Covers 70% of Earths
surface
Slide 5
WEATHER Weather refers to conditions in the atmosphere closest
to Earth, which occur over a short period of time Weather includes
all forms of humidity, winds, and precipitation (rain, snow, or
hail). Weather is affected by: Latitude Elevation (height above sea
level) Wind Patterns Ocean Currents Mountain Barriers (blocks warm
air masses, forcing them to turn cold & dry, preventing
precipitation from travelling past mountain)
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CLIMATE Latitude Low Latitude- between 23 N and 23 S (Tropical
Rainforest, Tropical Grasslands, Desert) Mid Latitude- between 23 N
and 66 N AND 23 S and 66 S (Grasslands, Humid Subtropical, Humid
Continental, Mediterranean, Marine West Coast) High Latitude-
Poles; above 66 N AND below 66 S (Arctic & Subarctic) Landforms
(location, size, etc.) Elevation Proximity to large bodies of water
Water heats and cools slower than does land Milder climates near
large bodies of water More extreme climates away from large bodies
of water (continental climate). Wind and Currents
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ECOSYSTEMS Ecosystem- community of living organisms (plants,
animals, microbes) working jointly with non-living organisms (air,
water, and soil) as one system. External Factors Climate Rainfall
Patterns Temperature Internal Factors Types of Species Present
Decomposition Root Competition
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BIOMES Deciduous Forest- mid-latitude regions; ample rain,
moderate temperatures and cool winters. Trees change color in fall,
lose leaves in winter Wide variety of plant and animal life
Tropical Rain Forest- located near the Equator, ample rainfall and
warm temperatures year-round. Large trees and leaves form a canopy
over area Widest diversity of plant and animal life Grasslands
& Savannas (Steppes)- drier climate, not enough rainfall to
support trees. Grasses dominate these areas. Savannas have some
trees Cattle, Antelope, Bison graze Deserts- receive less than 10
inches of rainfall annually. Plant and animal life have adapted to
lack of water and extreme temperature.
Slide 9
WEATHERING Weathering- the wearing down of rocks on Earths
surface by the actions of wind, water, ice, and living things
Mechanical Weathering- involves the breakdown of rocks and soil
through direct contact with atmosphere Heat Water Ice Wind Chemical
Weathering- the direct effect of atmospheric chemicals or
biologically-produced chemicals on rocks and soil Carbonation
Hydration Oxidation
Slide 10
EROSION Water- the force of moving bodies of water carry away
small pieces of rock, sand, and soil. Ex. Grand Canyon Wind- wears
down and carries away loose particles, more prevalent in arid and
semi-arid climates Glaciers- polishes the rock as it moves in
basin, cracks pieces of rock after freezing, and freezes over
sediment and forces it to move with it