Chapter 2 Section 1
Water covers about 70 % of the earth�s surface.
Water cycle � a process in which water moves from the oceans to the air to the ground back to the oceans
Evaporation � the sun�s heat turns liquid water into water vapor (also called humidity)
Condensation � a process in which water vapor changes into liquid water
Precipitation � rain snow sleet hail (the form that liquid water takes when falling back to the earth)
Collection � a process in which rivers and streams above and below the ground carry water back to the oceans
2 % of the water on earth is freshwater. 80% of that water is frozen in glaciers.
Groundwater � water that fills tiny cracks and holes in the rock layers below the earth�s surface
Aquifers � underground rock layers that water flows through
Wells tap groundwater so that we may drink it.
Chapter 2 Section 2
Weather � unpredictable changes in the air that take place over a short period of time
Climate � usual, predictable pattern of weather in an area over a long period of time
Tropics � the area that lies between the Tropic of Cancer (23 � degrees N latitude) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 � degrees S latitude)
Monsoons � tremendous seasonal winds that blow over continents for months at a time These are found mostly in Asia and some parts of Africa.
Tornadoes � funnel shaped windstorms found mostly during severe thunderstorms
Hurricanes � violent tropical storm systems
In Asia they are called typhoons.
Drought � long period of dryness (no rain)
Currents � moving streams of water
Greenhouse effect � a theory that a buildup of gases in the atmosphere causes warm air to be trapped a will cause the melting of the ice caps
Rainforests � dense forests that receive large amounts of rain
Questions
2. What are five elements that affect climate? Sun, wind, water, landforms, and people affect climate.
Chapter 2 Section 3
Tropical Climates
Tropical Rainforest
� Year round rain
� Produce lush vegetation and thick forests
� Home to millions of plants and animals
� Tall trees form a canopy � top layer of forest that prevents the sun from reaching the forest floor
� The Amazon Basin in South America is the world�s largest rainforest area
Tropical Savanna Climate
� Wet and dry seasons
� All rainfall occurs in just a few months of the year (wet season)
� Rest of the year is hot and dry (dry season)
� Savannas � broad grasslands with few trees occur in this climate
Midlatitude Climates
Marine West Coast Climate
� Occurs in coastal areas that receive winds from the ocean
� Winters are rainy and mild
� Summers are cool
� Many deciduous trees � those that shed their leaves in the fall
Mediterranean Climate
� Mild rainy winters
� Hot dry summers
� Shrubs and short trees grow here
Humid Continental Climate
� Our climate
� Cold snowy winters
� Summers that may be very hot
� Deciduous forests with some vast grasslands
Humid Subtropical Climate
� Rainfall throughout the year
� Heaviest rain during the hot and humid summer months
� Winters are short and mild
� Trees such as oak and palms grow well here
High Latitude Climates
Subarctic Climate
� Severely cold and bitter winters
� Temperatures go above freezing in the summer
� Huge evergreens grow here in forests
Tundra Climate
� Harsh dry climate
� Lower layers of the soil are called permafrost � they are always frozen
� Vast plains without trees
� Sturdy grasses and low bushes grow here
Ice Cap Climate
� Bitterly cold
� Average temperatures below freezing
� Lichens � fungus-like plants and mosses are the only vegetation that grows here
Dry Climates
Desert Climate
� Little rain each year
� Scattered plants
Steppe Climate
� Surround deserts
� Dry grasslands
� Little more rain than deserts
Highland Climate
� Mountains have cooler climates than surrounding land
� Can be found in any region
� Timberlines � elevation above which no trees can grow can be found on mountains