Question

13. Factors that affect climate:

Answer 1

Latitude, Altitude, relief, currents and winds and distance from the sea

Answer 2

Latitude

The places located at higher altitudes lie far from the equator and receive less sunlight and places that are situated towards the equator receives more sunlight and are hotter than the places located at higher latitudes. Sunlight also causes low precipitation or rainfall.

Elevation

The place at higher region or at high altitude the atmosphere experiences less pressure. As the gas residing in the atmosphere rises, it experiences feeling less pressure, hence causing it to expand.

Ocean Currents

Ocean currents are able to transfer heat energy from land to sea or vice versa thus affecting the temperature of the region.

Topography

Topography refers to the shape of the land. Latitudes and elevation ranges are the key factors that lead to fluctuation in surface temperatures hence leading to climate change.

Vegetation

The vegetation mainly comprises trees in the region. Due to the release of water vapour during photosynthesis into the air, it alters the surface energy fluxes and leads to potential cloud formation.

Prevailing winds

Winds distribute and spread particular air masses. The direction of the wind helps to determine the climate of a region. The wind coming from the humid region bring cool air while that from the dry region would bring hot air.