Global climate and weather patterns are driven by differences in the amount of heat energy in different areas of the Earth. Which statement best explains why different areas of the Earth have different amounts of heat energy?

- The Earth receives different amounts of solar energy in different regions.

Ocean currents and global wind patterns, which are caused by convection currents, most strongly affect a region's climate. An area with an average annual temperature of more than 64°F and greater than 59 inches of annual rainfall would be an example of which type of climate?

- Tropical

Which of the following factors would affect the weather patterns of a region?

- All of these

Water cycles from the atmosphere into the hydrosphere through precipitation. Water cycles from the hydrosphere back to the atmosphere through evaporation. Which of the following is one way that these patterns can affect climate?

- Areas located near a large body of water typically receive more precipitation than areas that are not located near water.

Convection currents, which affect weather and climate, are created by:

- The uneven heating of the Earth.

Which of the following statements best describes global temperature patterns?

- The temperature of a specific region tends to change in fairly predictable patterns throughout a day and during the course of a year.

Seasonal changes in water temperature tend to remain within a narrow range. This is opposed to air temperature, which tends to fluctuate across a wide range. The relative stability of ocean temperatures helps to regulate the temperatures of coastal regions. Why can water remain within a narrow range of temperatures?

- It has a high heat capacity.

The Sun's energy is critical to the Earth's climate and weather patterns because it drives the water cycle. Which stage of the water cycle is the Sun's energy most critical to?

- Evaporation

The polar climate zone is the coldest of the three zones. Why is this?

- The polar climate zone is located between about 67°N latitude and the North Pole; this latitude zone receives less sunlight than the other two latitude zones.

Weather is a condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. Wind, rain, and cloud formations are all forms of weather phenomena. What is the primary source of energy for weather phenomena?

- Solar radiation

The equator tends to contain regions with hot climates. However, the Rwenzori Mountains, which are located close to the equator, are covered in ice caps. Why is the climate of the Rwenzori Mountains not hot?

- Temperatures decrease with elevation.

A number of factors work together to create climate. What are the two main factors to consider in determining the climate of an area?

- Temperature and precipitation.