Heat is one form of energy. The sun radiates energy in waves, in this case short waves, to the earth. The atmosphere does not absorb short-wave energy readily. The clouds, dust and water vapour in the atmosphere deflect about half of the sun’s energy back into space. What passes through is absorbed by the land and water and converted to heat. The earth radiates this back as long-wave energy, which then warms the air above. In short, the earth acts as a radiator, which you probably know already, if you have ever walked down a long stretch of sidewalk or across a large parking lot on a hot day and watched (or felt) the heat rise from the pavement.

FACTORS AFECTING TEMPERATURE

A) LATITUDE

B) ALTITUDE

C) DISTANCE FROM THE SEA

D) CLOUD COVER

TEMPERATURE FACTORS

Climate Worksheet

currents and temperature

temperature and latitude

temperature