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Major Concepts in This Unit:

At the end of this unit you will know or be able to do the following . . .

The Change of Seasons
Label the four "major dates" on an earth orbital diagram.
Describe the location of the direct rays on the four "major dates".
Show how the changing location of the direct rays affects the surface temperature at a location.
Draw and Label a celestial sphere diagram showing the path of the sun across the sky on the four "major dates".
Summarize the factors that contribute to the changing seasons on earth.

Factors Influencing Our Climate
Explain why the climates at different latitudes differ.
Compare and Contrast the climates on the windward and leeward sides of a coastal mountain range.
Point out the major differences in coastal and inland climates.
Give examples of locations whose climates are affected by ocean currents.
Predict areas affected by "Lake Enhanced Precipitation" based on wind direction.
Explain the role of the earth’s atmosphere in regulating global temperatures.

The Hydrologic Cycle
Identify the source of energy that drives Earth's hydrologic cycle.
List the major "stations" in the water cycle.
Explain how energy is exchanged as water molecules travel between stations in the water cycle.
Calculate the amount of energy required to change water from one phase to another.
Describe four different things that can happen to precipitation when it hits the ground. 
Defend the following statement: There is no vestige of a beginning, no hint of an end to the water cycle

• Need the definition to some tricky science word?  Try a OneLook^® Online Dictionary search.  Hint: scroll down for the science words category.

Solstice
Equinox
Axis tilt
Parallelism
Tropical
Polar
Windward
Leeward
Fetch
Greenhouse effect
Insolation
Evapotranspiration
Condensation
Infiltration

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Copyright 1997-2007, Michael Liener