Research Project I Questions Set
What Influences Climate Patterns?   Using Data to Answer Questions
 

Activity RI.1 Factors Affecting Climate Patterns

Factors influencing temperature patterns.
Part I.   Why are there seasons?  Write a summary:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Part II.   Many things affect the temperature outside.  Globally, scientists look for these effects:

• The effect of latitude.  Summarize the effect of lattiude:

• The effect of geography. Summarize the effect of geography:

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• The effect of elevation. Summarize the effect of elevation:

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Part III.   How do you read a Climate graph?

1. Study  Figure SE-A-1.
What is the Title of this Graph?   ____________________________________________
What information is shown on the X-axis? _____________________________________
What information is shown on the Y-axis LEFT?  _______________________________
What information is shown on the Y-axis RIGHT?  ______________________________

2.  Describe the pattern you see for monthly precipitation.
 
 
 
 
 
 

3.  Describe the pattern you see for monthly average temperatures.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4. Evaluate:  From what you see on the graphs, do you think precipitation is related to temperature changes during the year?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5. Figure SE-A-2;   Review the 10 sample graphs from different climates.  List the kinds of climates and briefly describe the pattern you see for each.  (tell the month for the highest, the lowest, the range, any unusual details.
 

Climate type	Temperature Pattern	Precipitation pattern
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Click here for information.
6.  Which line shows the annual temperature pattern for
        a.  an equatorial (Tropical) zone?    dots     triangles      squares

        b.  a northern Temperate zone?       dots     triangles      squares

        c.  a southern temperate zone?        dots     triangles      squares
 
 
 

Part IV.
7.  On this worksheet you have learned about elevation, latitude, and geography.  Which climate factor has the strongest influence?    Click here to find out.   Why do you this this is true?
 
 
 

8. Energy flow through the system?  Click here.

    a.  What latitude recieves the most focused energy?  (energy per unit of area) ______________

    b.  What carries heat energy to the higher latitudes?

    c.  What is a convection cell?

    d.  Ireland is in the north, but it has a fairly warm climate.  Why does Ireland have a warm climate?
 
 
 
 
 

9.  Energy differences causes seasons in the Earth System   Click here.
Give examples of how energy changes affect each sphere:

    a.  Atmosphere

    b.  Biosphere

    c.  Lithosphere

    d.  Hydrosphere