Desert and polar bear Why would a polar
Desert and polar bear Why would a polar bear not survive here?
REMEMBER! I live in the Arctic I live in the Antarctic
W. A. L. T? Why is the climate different in different parts of the world? What is the polar climate?
Design an animal adapted to the climate of the Antarctic. You may only use 5 features Sharp claws Sharp teeth White fur Hibernate for long periods Carnivore Small ears Herbivore Large feet Large size Small size Leopard print fur Moult in summer Have few young Long tail Whiskers Good sense of smell Nosey Small eyes Nocturnal Hollow hairs to trap heat Have many young Sharp eyesight Blind Good hearing
Why do climates vary? • The atmosphere is made of different gases – nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon. • The suns rays pass through the atmosphere striking the earth • At X the suns rays are spread over a wider area – its solar footprint is larger. • The larger the solar footprint, the weaker the suns energy.
EARTH
In June (winter) it is dark 24 hrs a day in Antarctica In December (summer) it is light 24 hrs a day in Antarctica EARTH SUN EARTH
Why do climates vary? • The atmosphere is made of different gases – nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon. • The suns rays pass through the atmosphere striking the earth • At X the suns rays are spread over a wider area – its solar footprint is larger. • The larger the solar footprint, the weaker the suns energy.
Describe the climate in each picture
Two questions for you to try. . . 1. Which part of the world experiences the highest temperatures? Why? 2. Which part of the world would experience the coldest temperatures? Why?
What is the polar climate? • The polar climates experience very low temperatures. This is because for half the year, the Sun does not rise above the horizon. A temperature of -88°C was once reported in Antarctica. • Since the air in polar regions is so cold, it contains very little moisture. This means that there is very little snowfall. • Near the North and South Poles it is so cold that when the snow falls is does not melt, but gradually accumulates over hundreds and thousands of years to make thick ice sheets.
Antarctica is the fifth largest continent T
Antarctica is in the North Pole. F The South Pole is found in Antarctica
Even during the summer, almost the entire continent is covered by ice with an average thickness of almost 1 mile. T
Antarctica is described as a desert because it has sand. F It is described as a desert as it has very little rainfall
The population is 10 000. F The population is 4000 – it is made up of scientists and tourists
Antarctica is the coldest and windiest continent on earth. T
Temperatures have been recorded as low as -89 C T
Antarctica is almost 2 times the size of Australia. T
Antarctica is almost twice the size of the UK. F It is almost 50 times the size of the UK
Antarctica holds 10% of the world’s supply of fresh water. F It holds 70% of the world’s supply of freshwater
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