Factors That Affect Climate Change

What term describes the characteristic pattern of weather conditions within a region, averaged over a long period of time?

• Climate

• Weather

• Albedo

• Tectonic plate

Which countries are mentioned as examples of places that do not experience cold winters but have wet and dry seasons?

• Ecuador and Indonesia

• Canada and the United States

• Russia and China

• Australia and India

What is the single most important factor that affects climate on Earth?

• The Moon

• The Sun

• The Oceans

• The Mountains

What is a sunspot cycle?

• A cycle of the Moon's phases

• A regular solar cycle that occurs approximately every 11 years

• A cycle of Earth's seasons

• A cycle of ocean tides

How often does Earth rotate once around its axis?

• Every 12 hours

• Every 24 hours

• Every 30 days

• Every 365 days

What is the term for the change in Earth's orbit from being almost circular to more elliptical and back again?

• Tilt

• Eccentricity

• Wobble

• Rotation

What is the current angle of Earth's tilt on its axis?

• About 15.5°

• About 23.4°

• About 30.0°

• About 45.0°

What is the main effect of Earth's wobble (precession) on climate?

• It changes the length of the year

• It affects the amount and intensity of solar energy received by the hemispheres

• It causes earthquakes

• It changes the distance between Earth and the Sun

In the summer, Canada experiences more hours of daylight and warmer temperatures than in the winter. Explain this difference.

• The Earth is closer to the Sun in summer

• The tilt of Earth's axis causes longer days and more direct sunlight in summer

• The Sun is hotter in summer

• The Moon blocks sunlight in winter

Why does the climate in Ecuador tend to be hotter than the climate in Canada?

• Ecuador is closer to the North Pole

• The Sun’s rays strike Ecuador more directly than Canada

• Canada receives more sunlight than Ecuador

• Ecuador is farther from the equator