1. What is Temperature?
- Temperature is the measure of heat in the air at a particular place.
- The Sun is the main source of heat for the Earth.
- Temperature affects weather, climate, and living conditions.
2. How Sunrays Fall on Earth?
- Sunrays travel straight, but because the Earth is round, they fall differently on different areas.
- Some places get direct sunrays, while others get slanting sunrays.
Types of Sunrays:
- Direct Sunrays → Cover less area, bring more heat (Near the Equator).
- Slanting Sunrays → Cover larger area, bring less heat (Near the Poles).
Effect on Temperature:
- Near the Equator (Torrid Zone) → Hot because sunrays are direct.
- Between 23.5° and 66.5° (Temperate Zone) → Moderate temperature.
- Near the Poles (Frigid Zone) → Cold because sunrays are slanting.
3. Factors Affecting Temperature
Apart from latitude, other factors also affect temperature:
1. Altitude (Height above sea level)
- Higher places (like mountains) are colder than lower places (like plains).
- Example: Shimla is colder than Delhi because it is on a mountain.
2. Distance from the Sea
- Near the sea → Climate is moderate (less difference between day and night temperature).
- Far from the sea → Climate is extreme (hotter in summer, colder in winter).
- Example: Mumbai (coastal) has moderate climate, but Nagpur (inland) has extreme climate.
3. Land and Water Heating
- Land heats up and cools down quickly, but water heats up and cools down slowly.
- This creates differences in temperature between land and sea.
4. Winds and Ocean Currents
- Warm winds make the area hot, and cold winds make it cool.
- Ocean currents carry warm or cold water, changing the temperature of coastal areas.
4. Temperature Zones of the Earth
The Earth is divided into three temperature zones based on sunrays:
1. Torrid Zone (Hot Zone)
- Between 0° and 23.5° (Equator to Tropics).
- Very hot due to direct sunrays.
2. Temperate Zone (Moderate Zone)
- Between 23.5° and 66.5° (Tropics to Arctic/Antarctic Circles).
- Mild climate, not too hot or too cold.
3. Frigid Zone (Cold Zone)
- Between 66.5° and 90° (Poles).
- Very cold due to slanting sunrays.
5. What is an Isotherm?
- An isotherm is a line on a map that connects places with the same temperature.
- It helps in studying global temperature distribution.
6. What is a Thermometer?
- A thermometer is used to measure temperature.
- It contains mercury or alcohol, which rises or falls based on heat.
- Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).
7. Difference Between Coastal and Inland Climate
Feature | Coastal Climate (Near the sea) | Inland Climate (Far from the sea) |
---|---|---|
Temperature | Moderate, does not change much | Extreme, very hot or very cold |
Day-Night Difference | Small | Large |
Example | Mumbai, Chennai | Nagpur, Delhi |
8. How Do Land and Water Affect Temperature?
- Land heats up quickly and cools down quickly.
- Water heats up slowly and cools down slowly.
- This is why coastal areas have a more stable climate, while inland areas have extreme temperatures.
9. How Do Ocean Currents Affect Climate?
- Warm currents make nearby lands warmer (Example: Gulf Stream warms Europe).
- Cold currents make nearby lands colder (Example: Labrador Current cools Canada).
- Fishing is good where warm and cold currents meet (Example: Japan and North America coasts).
10. Global Warming and Greenhouse Gases
- Greenhouse gases (CO₂, water vapor, methane) trap heat in the atmosphere.
- This causes global warming, increasing Earth’s temperature.
- Effects: Melting ice, rising sea levels, extreme weather changes.
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