Theory question 304
Climate(a) Define climate. (b) With the aid of a diagram, describe how latitudes influence temperature. (c) Calculate the temperature at a coastal mountain peak of height 6000 metres when the temperature at sea level is 40°C.
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(a) Climate is the average weather conditions (temperature, rainfall, pressure, wind, humidity) of a place over a long period, usually about 35 years.
(b) Near the Equator the sun's rays are vertical (overhead) and concentrated on a small area and pass through less atmosphere, so temperatures are high; towards the poles the rays are slanting, spread over a larger area and pass through more atmosphere (more absorption and reflection), so temperatures are lower; temperature therefore decreases from the Equator towards the poles. Diagram of the globe with vertical and oblique rays covering different areas.
(c) Temperature falls about 6.5°C for every 1,000 m: 6,000 ÷ 1,000 × 6.5 = 39°C fall; temperature at the peak = 40 − 39 = 1°C.
Use the normal lapse rate of 6.5°C per 1,000 m.