Lesson PASSIyensya

4 Climate

9
Science
Quarter 3 – Module 4
Climate

Image Courtesy: Pinterest.com

The
Science of
Climate
 Good day, mga ka-Siyensya! Today, we will be learning about climate and the
factors affecting it! Are you excited? Great! But before we start, let us answer
the PRE-TEST but don’t worry, mga ka-Siyensya. This is NOT graded. All you need
to do is to answer this in your Science notebook. – Passiyensya, Your Science
Teacher

Pre-Test
Differences
Read each item carefully and choose the letter that corresponds to the BEST answer. Write
your answer in your Science notebook.

1. Differences
Heart Beat
Which of the following is not a factor that affects the climate of a place?
a. Latitude
b. Altitude
c. Ocean Currents
d. Earthquakes

Differences
2. Which of the following statements is true?
a. The higher the altitude, the colder the climate.
b. The higher the altitude, the warmer the climate.
c. There is no direct relationship between altitude and temperature,
d. None of the above.

3. It is a science which deals with how atmosphere behaves from time to time.
a. Atmospheric Science
b. Climate Science
c. Astronomy
d. Astrology

4. Which of the following is not an instrument used in monitoring climate?

a. Moored buoys
b. Weather balloons
c. Microwave Relay Stations
d. NOAA-N spacecraft

5. What happens to the temperature of air when altitude increases?

a. remains the same
b. decreases
c. increases
d. varies

Study Tips

Now that you are done with the pretest, we will be reading some of the difficult
words that we will encounter in this lesson. Read with me, mga ka-Siyensya!

WORD DRILL

Word Pronunciation

1 Leeward lee•wrd

2 Topography tuh•paa•gruh•fee

3 Gyres jai•urz Study Tips

4 Altitude al•tuh•tood

5 Latitude lah•tuh•tood
 Alright! We are now set to discuss our lesson for today! I encourage everyone to
read and understand everything. Take note of the important points in your
Science notebook. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact your
Science teacher.

DISCUSSION

What are the things you usually consider whenever you plan to have a picnic? Most probably,
you will consider the time, place, and most of all, the weather. Weather affects your day-to-day
activities. Some of you may mistake climate with weather. But in fact, they are not the same.

Let us start by distinguishing climate from weather. Weather is the condition of the
atmosphere at a specific place and time.
Example:
Yesterday it was sunny but today we have storms.
Today it is to get to a high of 30 ᴼC.

On the other hand, Climate is the general pattern of weather in a certain area over a
long period of time.
Example:
Boracay is a popular vacation spot because of consistent sunny days and warm
temperatures.
Every year, we have mild winters and it rarely snows.

Here’s one way to visualize it. Weather tells you what to wear each day. Climate tells
you what types of clothes to have in your closet.

Graphic depicting the analogy as to the difference between weather and climate
Source: ncei.noaa.gov

They also differ in terms of expert or scientist who studies them. Climatologist studies the
climate while Meteorologist studies the weather.

Instruments and tools used to measure and forecast weather and climate includes
anemometer, thermometer, hygrometer, wind vane, barometer, and rain gauge, weather balloons,
weather buoys, weather satellites and spacecraft.
Factors Affecting Climate
• Latitude • Altitude • Distance from bodies of water • Topography • Ocean currents

Latitude and Climate

 In geography, latitude is a geographic coordinate
that specifies the north–south position of a point on
the Earth's surface.
 Latitude affects climate by influencing the
intensity of the sun in a region. The angle and
duration of the sun's energy determine surface
temperature.
 As the latitude increases, the smaller the angle
of the sun’s rays strike the surface. Therefore, when
the area is farther from the equator, the air
temperature is lower. When the place is closer to the
equator, the air temperature is higher. Hence,
temperatures are typically warmer approaching the
Equator and cooler approaching the Poles.
The Sun’s rays and the Earth
Source: WordPress.com
Altitude and Climate
 Altitude is the elevation of a
place above sea level.
 At higher elevations, there is
less air. The air molecules
are farther apart, thus making
the air less dense. Lighter air
cannot absorb much heat,
making air temperature
lower. Ultimately, the
decrease in air temperature
is due to the decrease in air
pressure.
 For every 1000 m elevation, there is a drop of 6.5 0C.
 As the altitude increases, the temperature decreases.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is located in Africa and found near the equator. It stands 5895m above sea level. The
peak of this mountain is covered by ice because the air
temperature decreases as the altitude increases.
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Source: Jerrytanzaniatours.com
Distance from
bodies of water and Climate

 The climate of the place is influenced by the

surrounding bodies of water. Soil absorbs heat faster
than water. At the same time, soil releases
heat faster compared to water. These slow
absorption and release of heat by the body
of water greatly affect the climate.
 Water has higher heat capacity than soil. Even as
both soil and water absorb the same amount of
heat, the temperature of water rises more slowly
than that of soil. Because of this, water also
absorbs more heat in warm days and slowly
releases it in cold days. The ocean’s influence in moderating
climate can be seen in the following
temperature comparisons. Each of these
cities is located at 37oN latitude.
Source: Jerrytanzaniatours.com
  Places that are near the oceans have moderate climate as the body of water regulates the
temperature.
 Places that are far from the bodies of water have extreme climates, as there are no
immediate bodies of water that will help to circulate the movement of cold and warm air.

Topography and Climate

 Topography is the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area.
 One of the topographic features of an area is mountain. Mountainous areas greatly affect the
amount of precipitation in a certain region.
 The area in which the wind blows is called the windward side. Here, the wind is blocked by
the mountain, forcing it to move upward. As it moves up, the water vapor condenses and forms
clouds. This will result in precipitation on the windward side.
 The air moves down towards the opposite region called leeward side. The cold air mass starts
to absorb heat and becomes warm and dry. As a result, the area near the leeward side becomes
dry and has less precipitation.
 The dry region on the leeward side is called rain shadow. Vegetation in this region includes
desert plants and grassland.

The Rain Shadow Effect

Source: en.Wikipedia.org
Ocean Currents and Climate

 Ocean currents have also an important role in changing the climate of a certain area. They
affect the temperature of the nearby land mass.
 A loop or gyre is a large system of ocean currents moving in a circle. 
 Gyres are caused by the Coriolis effect. In the northern hemisphere, the current flows in a
clockwise direction. On the other hand, in the southern hemisphere, the current flows in
counterclockwise direction.
 Warm currents that move from
the equator towards the poles carry
warm water. The ocean current that
carries warm water makes the air
warmer. When this current goes
toward a land mass, the
temperature of that place becomes
higher.
 On the other hand, cold currents
that travel from the poles towards
the equator carry cold water.
When ocean current carries cold
water, the air above it becomes
colder. When this ocean
 current moves toward the coastal region, the temperature of that area becomes lower.
 Ocean currents that bring along
cold water inland make the climate Movement of Ocean Currents
cold. Source: Nationalgeographic.org
 On the other hand, ocean
currents that take along warm water to coastal areas make the climate warm.

To learn more about the topic, we will be answering five activities. Read and
analyze the instruction carefully. Write your answers in a whole sheet of paper. If
you have any question, feel free to contact your Science teacher. Good luck, mga
ka-Siyensya!

Activity 1
When the Sun’s Rays Strike

Objective: To explain how latitude affects climate.

Materials: Diagram of the Sun’s rays and the Earth

Paper and Pen

Procedure: Study the illustration then answer the guide questions.

The Sun’s rays and the Earth

Source: Grade 7 Science Module

Guide Questions:

Q1. How much is the tilt of the earth’s axis?

Q2. Which part of the earth receives most of the sun’s rays?

Q3. Why does the amount of heat receive by places far from the equator become less?

Q4. Why are the coldest places on earth found near the poles?

Q5. Why are places with high temperature found at the equator?

Q6. How does latitude affect climate?

Activity 2
The Higher, The Colder!

Objective: To explain how altitude affects climate.

Materials: Tabular data of the different cities in the Philippines and their annual average temperature
Paper and Pen

Procedure: Study the table then answer the guide questions.

Source: mapcarta.com

Guide Questions:

Q1. Which place is the coldest? What is its altitude (elevation above sea level)?
Q2. Which place is the hottest? What is its altitude (elevation above sea level)?
Q3. Based on the data, what is the relationship between altitude and temperature of a place?

Activity 3
Which cools and heats faster?
Objective: To explain how distance from the ocean affects climate.
To compare the effect of heat on water and land.

Materials: Data reading in heating the soil and water

Data reading in cooling the soil and water
Paper and Pen

Procedure: Study the tables then answer the guide questions.

Temperature readings in heating the soil and water

Source: Grade 9 Science Module

 Guide Questions:

Q1. What are the initial temperatures of water and soil?

Q2. What is the difference between the temperature of soil and water after 5 minutes?

Q3. Which heats up faster, water or soil?

Temperature readings in cooling the soil and water

Source: Grade 9 Science Module

Guide Questions:

Q4. What is the difference between the temperature of soil and water after 5 minutes?

Q5. Which cools faster, water or soil?

Q6. How does a body of water regulate the temperature of a certain region/country?

Activity 4
Which should I choose, Windward or Leeward?
Objective: To differentiate windward and leeward sides of a high land.
To explain how topography affects climate.

Materials: An illustration of the windward and leeward sides of a mountain

Paper and Pen

Procedure: Study the illustration then answer the guide questions.

Landforms and Precipitation

 Source: quizlet.com

Guide Questions:

Q1. What happens to water vapor as it rises over the mountain?

Q2. Which side of the mountain experiences low temperature?

Q3. Which side of the mountain experiences high temperature?

Q4. What happens when air becomes warmer and drier as it moves down the leeward side?

Q5. What dry region forms at the back of the mountain?

Q6. How does topography affect climate?

Activity 5
Ocean Currents and Climate
Objective: To explain how ocean currents affect climate.

Materials: Map that illustrates ocean currents

Paper and Pen

Procedure: Study the map then answer the guide questions.

Ocean Currents

Source: PearsonEducation.inc

Guide Questions:

Q1. What are the different ocean currents that carry warm water? Give at least three examples.
 Q2. What are the different ocean currents that carry cold water? Give at least three examples.

Q3. What kind of air does Greenland Current take along? Explain.

Q4. How do the Oyashio Current and Kuroshio Current affect the northeastern part and southern part
of Japan?

Q5. How do ocean currents affect climate?

I guess, you are now done with the activities. Your Science teacher will check it
once your papers are retrieved. Before we end, let us check whether we have
learned something today or not. Get your pen and paper for we will be answering
the POST TEST. Good luck, mga ka-Siyensya!

Post Test
Read each item carefully and choose the letter that corresponds to the BEST answer. Write
your answer in a one whole sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is not a factor that affects the climate of a place?
a. Latitude
b. Altitude
c. Ocean Currents
d. Earthquakes

2. Which of the following statements is true?

a. The higher the altitude, the colder the climate.
b. The higher the altitude, the warmer the climate.
c. There is no direct relationship between altitude and temperature,
d. None of the above.

3. It is a science which deals with how atmosphere behaves from time to time.
a. Atmospheric Science
b. Climate Science
c. Astronomy
d. Astrology

4. Which of the following is not an instrument used in monitoring climate?

a. Moored buoys
b. Weather balloons
c. Microwave Relay Stations
d. NOAA-N spacecraft

5. What happens to the temperature of air when altitude increases?

a. remains the same
b. decreases
c. increases
d. varies

6. Which side of the mountain often receives the most precipitation?

a. leeward side
b. rain shadow
c. windward side
d. peak

7. City A is surrounded by bodies of water and has a moderate climate. It is located near the
equator. What will most likely affect the climate of the city?
a. latitude
b. topography
c. altitude
 d. all of these

8. How does the windward side differ from the leeward side of a high land?
a. The windward receives more precipitation than the leeward.
b. The leeward side has more vegetation than the windward side.
c. The windward side receives more heat than the leeward side.
d. The leeward side receives more precipitation than the windward side.

9. During summer, many people visit Baguio because of the cold weather. What do you think
makes Baguio cold?
a. latitude
b. altitude
c. topography
d. distance from the ocean

10. Why are the coldest places on earth found at the poles?
a. great amount of gaseous particles trap heat from the surface
b. great amount of thermal radiation is received by these areas
c. less amount of thermal radiation is received by these areas
d. less amount of gaseous particles trap heat from the surface

References

Department of Education, Bureau of Secondary Education. (2015) Science Learner’s

Module Grade 9, Unit 3. Module 2. 27-43

Dizpezio, Michael, et al.(1999). Science Insights Exploring Earth and Space. First Lok
Yang Road, Singapore: Pearson Education (Asia) Pte Ltd. T

illery, Bill W.(2007). Physical Science (7th ed.). 1221 Ave. of the Americas, New York,
NY 10020: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Cowan, A.G. (2013). Ocean Currents and Climate. Retrieved

fromhttp://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/ocean-
currents-andclimate/?ar_a=1

Answers to the Post Test

1. B 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. A 6. D 7. B 8. C 9. A 10. C Study Tips