What affects the temperature distribution on earth?

The temperature distribution on Earth is not uniform and depends upon a number of factors. Why are the temperatures of the coastal area, mountains, and deserts different? There are various factors involved in the temperature distribution on the Earth�s surface.

Here are the factors that affect the temperature distribution on earth!

1. Latitude
Temperature decreases with the increase in the latitude on either side of the Equator. Can you guess why?Sun rays strike the Earth at varying angles of incidence owing to the spherical shape of the Earth and its inclination on its axis.

The higher the latitude of the place, the colder it will be. And it is on this basis that the Earth is divided into five temperature zones:

• The Torrid zone with high temperature
• The North Temperate zone with moderate temperature
• The South Temperate zone with moderate temperature
• The two Frigid zones with low temperature

2. Altitude
The height of a place above the mean sea level is known as altitude. The higher the altitude, the lower the temperature. Do you know why?

Air is cooler at higher altitudes than on the Earth�s surface and this is because the atmosphere is heated from below by terrestrial radiation. Also, the air on the surface of the Earth is denser hence its heat-absorbing capacity is more.

The rate of decrease in temperature with height is about 6 degrees Celsius per km above sea level. This is known as the Normal Lapse Rate.

3. Distance from the sea
During the day the land is hotter than the sea and so the hot air above the land becomes lighter and goes upwards creating a low-pressure area over the land. The air above the sea being cooler rushes to fill the pressure gap. This cool breeze is called Sea breeze. During the night the situation is reversed. The land breeze flows from Land to sea and makes the sea cool. This interchange of heat maintains the heat balance.

Hence the areas near the sea have moderate temperatures as compared to areas that are inland.

4. Wind and Oceanic currents
Ocean currents influence the temperature of adjacent land areas considerably. Warm currents raise the temperatures of the coastal areas, whereas cold currents lower them. For instance, in higher latitudes, the eastern coasts have much lower temperatures than the western coasts due to the influence of cold currents.

Similarly, the North Atlantic Drift, an extension of the warm Gulf Stream, keeps winter temperatures in Great Britain and much of Western Europe warmer than one would expect for their latitudes. Because of the prevailing westerly winds, the moderating effects of the ocean currents are carried far inland.

5. Slope of the Land
The direction of the slope and its angle control the amount of solar radiation received locally. Slopes more exposed to the sun receive more solar radiation than those away from the sun�s direct rays. In many valleys, settlements and cultivation are, therefore, concentrated on southern slopes, whereas northern slopes remain forested. In our country, this phenomenon is well observed in the Himalayan region.

Temperature Distribution Questions

1. Which is responsible for keeping the winter temperatures in Great Britain warmer?

(i) Near to Ocean
(ii) High Location
(iii) Ocean currents
(iv) It�s latitude

2. The breeze that blows from sea to land at night in coastal areas is termed as?
(i) Land breeze
(ii) Monsoon Wind
(iii) North Atlantic drift
(iv) Sea breeze

3. What is the rate of decrease in temperature of 6 degrees Celsius per km height?
(i) Inversion of Temperature
(ii) Adiabatic cooling
(iii) Altitude
(iv) Normal Lapse rate

4. Which of the following zones experiences high temperatures all through the year?
(i) The North Temperate zone
(ii) The South Temperate zone
(iii) The frigid zones
(iv) The Torrid zone

5. Which of the following does not influence the temperature distribution on Earth?
(i) Altitude
(ii) Ocean currents
(iii) Latitudes
(iv) Longitudes

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