BIO120H1 Lecture Notes - Predator Satiation, 30Th Parallel North, Thermoregulation
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BIO120H1 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
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Document Summary
Climate is the long term prevailing weather determined by temperature and precipitation. 1 introduction to the basic drivers of climate. Largest determinant of life in a region. Long term changes in climate are due to changes in intensity and distribution of solar radiation. Sunlight intensity is key in climate energy from the sun is not evenly distributed throughout earth. The different orientation of the earth as it orbits the sun creates seasons. Tropics have minor temperature changes their seasons are characterized by the presence or absence of rain. Both hemispheres have equal solar input during spring and fall equinox. The sun is most intense at the equator this warms up the air, making it less dense, and causes it to rise. The warm arm rising in the tropics is wet, as it rises and cools, the water condenses and falls as rain. Sunlight also creates winds that push the now dry tropical air away from the equator.
