Question

What are the factors that control temperature distribution on the surface of the earth?

Answer 1

Factors controlling temperature distribution: The temperature of the air at any place is influenced by

1. the latitude of the place;
2. the altitude of the place;
3. distance from the sea, the air-mass circulation;
4. the presence of warm and cold ocean currents;
5. local aspects.

1. The latitude: The temperature of a place depends on the insolation received. It has been explained earlier that the insolation varies according to the latitude hence the temperature also varies.

2. The altitude: The atmosphere is indirectly heated by terrestrial radiation from below. Therefore, the places near the sea-level record higher temperatures than the places situated at higher elevations.

3. Distance from the sea: Another factor is the location of a place with respect to the sea. Compared to land, the sea gets heated slowly and loses heat slowly. Land heats up and cools down quickly. Therefore, the differences in the temperature over the sea are less compared to land. And these places near the sea have a moderate temperature.

4. Air-mass and ocean currents: Air-masses affect the temperature. The places which come under the influence of warm air-masses experience higher temperature and the place that comes under the influence of cold air-masses experience low temperature.