UNIT 3-CLIMATE AND LIVING THINGS
Activity 1: Write a definition for Atmosphere and describe it explaining the names of its different layers and the most important characteristics of each layer.
The atmospherte is the layer of gases that sorrounds the Earth and makes life possible on the planet.It extends for thousands of kilometres.Its composition is mainly nitrogen and oxygen but also argon ,carbon dioxide and other gases (hydrogen,ozone,methane and water vapour)
Exosphere:outer limit of the atmosphere,which begins at an altitude of 500 km
Thermosphere:80-500 km altitude temperatures can reach over 1 000ºC
Mesosphere:50-80 km altitude.Temperatures drop quickly,falling as low as-90 ºc
Stratosphere:10-50 km altitude temperatures start to rise from 20 km upwards due to ozone,a gas that stopts harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun from reaching the Earths surface
Trotosphere.the layer closest to the earth lees than 10 km high.It is essential for life on earth.It is composed of air and water vapour and is where rain,snow,etc.occur.It acts as an insulator ,retaining some of the heat emitted by the Erths surface
Activity 2: Explain the differences between weather and climate. What is the Climatology?
Weather:Is the result of atmospheric conditions at a certain place and time
Climate: Is the result of average atmospheric conditions in a certain region over a long period of time
Climatology is the science of climate ,the study of the climatic elements and the factors that affect it.Meteorology is the study of atmospheric phenomena
Activity 3: The elements of climate.
- Write a short description of each the following concepts.
- Search and paste images related to each of these concepts.
- Temperature :Is the amount of heat in the air.We measure it with a thermomether and express it in degrees centigrade
- Precipitation:Is water from the atmosphere that falls into the earths surface in the form rain,snow,sleet or hail
- Atmospheric pressure:Is the preessure that the atmosphere weight exerts on the earth surface
- Wind :Is air that moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure to balance differences it atmospheric pressure acroos the planet
Activity 4: The Earth´s climates. Write a description of the different climates of the Earth explaining its most important characteristics: Tropical (Equatorial, Humid Tropical and Hot deset), Temperate (Mediterranean, HYumid Sub-Tropical, Maritime, Continental), and Cold (Polar and Alpine).
Equatorial: Temperatures are high troughout the year .The mean anual temperature is over 25ºc
Humid tropical:Temperatures are high troughout the year.The mean annual temperature is over 20ºc
Hot deset:Temperatures are high .The mena annual temperature is over 20ºc .There is a pronunceded difference between day and night temperatures
Mediterranean:Temperatures are mild in winter and hot is summer . The mean annual temperature varies between 10ºc and 20ºc .
Humid sub-tropical climate:Temperatures are similar to the mediterranean climate.Precipitation is over 1 000mm annually .
Maritime:Temperatures are moderate throughout the year mild in winter and cool in summer .The mean annual temperature varies between 10ºc and 18ºc
Continental:Temperatures are very cold in winter and hot in summer .The mean annual temperature varies between 0ºc and 10ºc
Polar:Temperatures are very low,not exceending 0ºc except in some places in the summer.The mean annual temperature is below 0ºc
Alpine:Temperatures fall with altitude winters are cold and summers cool. Precipitation increasses with altitude .
Activity 5: Write a definition for the following concepts:
- Torrential(Of rainfall)sudden intense
- ModerateAverage in quantity intensity or degree
- Scarce
- CrackNarrow opening in rock,soil or any solid body
- BurrowHole or tunel in the ground made by an animal
- HibernationThe long,deep sleep some animals fall into during the winter,when their vital functions are reduced to a minimun
- SpinTurn around quickly
- OverflowFlow over the top or sides
- LivestockFarm animals like cowa sheeps,pigs
- HugeVery big,enormous
- Storm Heavy rain with strong winds,thunder and lightning
Activity 6: Write a short essay explaining the way animals adapt to their environment.
Adaptation to cold:Some animals have a trick coat or layer of fat.Some such as bears have a period of hibernation to survive the cold winters
Adaptation to water:Some animals,such as frogs can only live in areas where water is abundant others like camels,have adapted to survive with very little water
Activity 7: Atmospheric phenomena and natural hazards. Describe this words and post some pictures showing the consequences of these phenomena:
- Hurricanes: hurricane
is a tropical cyclone, occurring in the North Atlantic Ocean or the
Northeast Pacific Ocean, east of the International Dateline. A wind of
force 12 on the Beaufort scale, above 118 km/h, is also referred to as a hurricane irrespective of its origin or location
- Hail:Hail is a form of solid precipitation. It consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, each of which is referred to as a hail stone.
- Torrential rain:Rain which comes down "like a torrent." It simply means very heavy rain. Rain which is liable to cause flooding
- Drought:A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region
notes a deficiency in its water supply whether surface or underground
water
- Forest fires
:High temperature increasse the risk of forest temperatures
