II. Short Answer Type Questions
- Climate vs. Weather: Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions (minutes to days), while climate is the long-term average of those conditions (usually over 30 years).
- Factors Influencing Climate: Key factors include latitude, altitude, proximity to water bodies, ocean currents, and prevailing winds.
- Role of Ocean Currents: They distribute heat around the globe. Warm currents raise the temperature of coastal areas, while cold currents lower it.
- Temperature and Latitude: Temperature generally decreases as latitude increases because solar radiation hits the Earth's surface at more oblique angles toward the poles.
- Climate and Wildfires: Hot, dry climates with low humidity and high winds increase the risk and intensity of wildfires by drying out vegetation.
III. Long Answer Type Questions
- Factors influencing climate: (See Short Answer #2 for the list; a long answer would explain how latitude affects solar intensity, how altitude leads to cooling, etc.)
- Effects of climate change in India: Impacts include erratic monsoon patterns, rising sea levels threatening coastal cities (like Mumbai), and increased frequency of heatwaves.
- Causes and effects of landslides: Often triggered by heavy rainfall or snowmelt (climatic) and steep slopes or deforestation (geological/human). Effects include loss of life and infrastructure damage.
- Climate's impact on life: It determines the clothes we wear, the crops farmers grow, and the architecture of our homes.
IV. Distinguish Between
- Weather and Climate: Weather is temporary and localized; climate is a regional average over decades.
- Southwest vs. Northeast Monsoon:
- Southwest (June-Sept): Blows from sea to land, bringing heavy rain to most of India.
- Northeast (Oct-Nov): Blows from land to sea; brings rain primarily to the southeast coast (Tamil Nadu).