Year 7 - taught by Miss Watson
During year 7 you will look at a range of human and physical topics. They will include:
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WHAT IS GEOGRAPHY? |
Geography is an important and ever-changing subject, but what does it really include?
Our class definition of Geography is:
'Geography is all about the physical environment and how people interact with it.'
As it is such a broad and diverse subject we can divide the topics we will study into three categories.
Our class definition of Geography is:
'Geography is all about the physical environment and how people interact with it.'
As it is such a broad and diverse subject we can divide the topics we will study into three categories.
- Physical Geography - the physical environment surrounding us
- Human Geography - how and where we live
- Environmental Geography - how we interact with our environment
HUMAN
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PHYSICAL
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Environmental Geography |
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Geography is not just about where countries are, what their capital cities are or what their flag looks like. To find out exactly what Geography is all about we will look at the 5 Ws.
WHAT?
'Geography is all about the physical environment and how people interact with it.' We can divide the subject of geography up into three categories; physical geography, human geography and environmental geography. Geography includes topics from reading maps to explaining why families in China only have one child.
WHAT?
'Geography is all about the physical environment and how people interact with it.' We can divide the subject of geography up into three categories; physical geography, human geography and environmental geography. Geography includes topics from reading maps to explaining why families in China only have one child.
WHERE?
Geographers have to study places and events from all over the world, this means it is crucial that they know how to find places and describe their locations. Therefore one of the most important skills in geography is being able to read a map.
When describing where a place is located it is important to be as accurate as possible. To help with this the globe is divided up into sections using imaginary lines called latitude and longitude.
However, one degree still covers a large area of the globe, so each degree is divided up into 60 smaller sections called minutes (‘). This means that we can be incredibly accurate when describe where a place is located e.g. Santa Cruz de Tenerife 28° 28‘N 16° 15‘W
REMEMBER
Geographers have to study places and events from all over the world, this means it is crucial that they know how to find places and describe their locations. Therefore one of the most important skills in geography is being able to read a map.
When describing where a place is located it is important to be as accurate as possible. To help with this the globe is divided up into sections using imaginary lines called latitude and longitude.
- LATITUDE are imaginary lines which go around the earth from east to west. These are used to measure how far north or south a place is from the Equator. Latitude 0° is called the Equator.
- LONGITUDE are imagine lines which run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are measured from a point called the Greenwich Meridian, which is the line which passes from London, UK. The Greenwich Meridian (Prime Meridian) is 0°.
However, one degree still covers a large area of the globe, so each degree is divided up into 60 smaller sections called minutes (‘). This means that we can be incredibly accurate when describe where a place is located e.g. Santa Cruz de Tenerife 28° 28‘N 16° 15‘W
REMEMBER
- Lines of LATITUDE go ACROSS the map
- Lines of LONGITUDE go UP and DOWN the map
- Latitude is always given first
- Latitude and longitude are measured in degrees (°)
- Each degree is divided up into 60 smaller parts called minutes (‘)
WHEN?
It is very important in geography that we know when something happened. This might be when a volcano erupted last or when a new hotel is going to open in Los Cristianos. This is important because if we know how often a volcano erupts and when it last erupted we can use this information to predict when it might erupt in the future.
As well knowing the dates which events happened on it is also important to know what time they happened. This is because if an earthquake happens in the middle of the night it will have very different impacts to if it happened in the middle of the afternoon.
It is very important in geography that we know when something happened. This might be when a volcano erupted last or when a new hotel is going to open in Los Cristianos. This is important because if we know how often a volcano erupts and when it last erupted we can use this information to predict when it might erupt in the future.
As well knowing the dates which events happened on it is also important to know what time they happened. This is because if an earthquake happens in the middle of the night it will have very different impacts to if it happened in the middle of the afternoon.
WHO?
The skills and knowledge you learn in geography are important to lots of different people and jobs. Here in Tenerife we have to consider lots of different aspects of geography in our daily lives. We have all considered the risks associated with living on the slopes of a dormant volcano (Mount Teide). The farmers in Tenerife have all thought about the climate and physical landscape of the island when deciding what crops to plant and where. Even hotel owners have used their geographical knowledge to help them make decisions on where to build their hotel, what impact it will have on the environment and when to change their prices.
The skills and knowledge you learn in geography are important to lots of different people and jobs. Here in Tenerife we have to consider lots of different aspects of geography in our daily lives. We have all considered the risks associated with living on the slopes of a dormant volcano (Mount Teide). The farmers in Tenerife have all thought about the climate and physical landscape of the island when deciding what crops to plant and where. Even hotel owners have used their geographical knowledge to help them make decisions on where to build their hotel, what impact it will have on the environment and when to change their prices.
SURFER needs to understand how waves are formed and what conditions are needed to make the perfect wave. They need to be able to understand weather forecasts and how a storm hundreds of miles away can affect the waves on their beach.
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PILOT needs to be able to read maps carefully and then use these to follow the correct flight path. They need to be able to understand weather conditions and make decisions about when it is safe to fly.
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PRIME MINISTER needs to understand what factors can change the population of his country so that he can make sure that they have enough services for everyone. They need to understand the global economy and make sure they are importing enough resources to ensure they do not experience shortages.
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WHY?
Everyone relies on geography in their daily lives, most do this without even realising. From your journey to school in the morning to deciding when is the best time to go surfing you are relying on geography to help you make your decisions.
The knowledge and skills which you will learn in geography will help you in the future. They will help you understand what is going on in the world, spark an interest in people and places, help you to comprehend events in the news and help you to develop your own opinions about local and global issues.
Everyone relies on geography in their daily lives, most do this without even realising. From your journey to school in the morning to deciding when is the best time to go surfing you are relying on geography to help you make your decisions.
The knowledge and skills which you will learn in geography will help you in the future. They will help you understand what is going on in the world, spark an interest in people and places, help you to comprehend events in the news and help you to develop your own opinions about local and global issues.
CHANGING CLIMATES |
Weather and climate are some of the most closely studied changes which occur on our planet, but how are they different?
Weather is one of the most closely studied aspects of our planet and is now important to not only professionals but also members of the public. We rely on the weather to make lots of decisions throughout the day, from what to wear each day to when to go on holiday. Whilst other people, such as pilots, rely on understanding the weather to make decisions which ensure our safety.
Weather is one of the most closely studied aspects of our planet and is now important to not only professionals but also members of the public. We rely on the weather to make lots of decisions throughout the day, from what to wear each day to when to go on holiday. Whilst other people, such as pilots, rely on understanding the weather to make decisions which ensure our safety.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEATHER AND CLIMATE?
Many people think that weather and climate have the same meaning and use them interchangeably, but this is incorrect. We will look at how they have two different meanings.
- Weather is the current conditions within our atmosphere, such as whether it is sunny or raining.
- Climate is the average weather conditions that a place experiences throughout the year.
WEATHER FORECASTING
Weather forecasting is a prediction of what the weather will be like in an hour, tomorrow, or next week. Weather forecasting involves a combination of computer models, observations, and a knowledge of trends and patterns. By using these methods, reasonable accurate forecasts can be made up to seven days in advance.
We looked at the weather forecast for Spain and selected the following image then became weathermen and women and wrote our own forecast. Below, are some of our best pieces of work.
We looked at the weather forecast for Spain and selected the following image then became weathermen and women and wrote our own forecast. Below, are some of our best pieces of work.
OUR WEATHER FORECASTS
WHY DOES IT RAIN?
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Warm air can hold more water than cold air, so when warm air is cooled the water vapour condenses into liquid. These water particles then stick together creating raindrops which eventually become too heavy and fall as rain or precipitation.
There are three different ways of turning moist air into cloud, so that it rains or snows. These are:
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CONVECTIONAL RAINFALL
When the land warms up, it then heats up the air directly above it. This causes the air to expand and it begins to rise. As the air rises up through the atmosphere it then cools and condenses. As more condensation takes place then water particles begin to join together and eventually results in rain. This type of rainfall is very common in tropical areas, such as the rainforest.
When the land warms up, it then heats up the air directly above it. This causes the air to expand and it begins to rise. As the air rises up through the atmosphere it then cools and condenses. As more condensation takes place then water particles begin to join together and eventually results in rain. This type of rainfall is very common in tropical areas, such as the rainforest.
RELIEF RAINFALL
Wind brings in warm, moist air which is then forced to rise over high areas like mountains. As the air rises up over the mountain it begins to cool and condensations takes place creating clouds. More condensation will take place until it will eventually rain. The air will then continue to down the other side of the mountain. As it descends it warms and becomes drier, this is known as the rain shadow.
Wind brings in warm, moist air which is then forced to rise over high areas like mountains. As the air rises up over the mountain it begins to cool and condensations takes place creating clouds. More condensation will take place until it will eventually rain. The air will then continue to down the other side of the mountain. As it descends it warms and becomes drier, this is known as the rain shadow.
FRONTAL RAINFALL
When a block of cold air meets a block of warm air they cannot mix, instead they form fronts. The cold air is much heavier than the warm air, meaning the lighter, warmer air rises over the top of the heavier, colder air. As the warm air is forced to rise it cools and condensation takes place, creating clouds. Rain then occurs along this front.
When a block of cold air meets a block of warm air they cannot mix, instead they form fronts. The cold air is much heavier than the warm air, meaning the lighter, warmer air rises over the top of the heavier, colder air. As the warm air is forced to rise it cools and condensation takes place, creating clouds. Rain then occurs along this front.
Our Types of Rain Posters
TYPES OF CLOUDS
Clouds are a collection of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. They are formed after warm air rises and in doing so cools. Cold air is unable to hold as much water vapour as warm air, so condensation takes place. Water vapour condenses around tiny particles of dust which are floating in the atmosphere. Once enough of these tiny droplets of condensation group together they become visible and form a cloud.
There are several types of cloud:
CIRRUS: these are wispy clouds that form high in the atmosphere. They are associated with fair to pleasant weather.
STRATUS: are uniform clouds that cover the entire sky. They resemble fog but do not meet the ground. They are associated with light rain.
CUMULUS: are white, puffy clouds that resemble cotton wool. They have a flat base and rounded tops. These clouds are associated with fair weather.
CUMULONIMBUS: are thunderstorm clouds. Their appearance resembles that of an anvil. These clouds are associated with heavy rain, hail, snow and thunderstorms.
There are several types of cloud:
CIRRUS: these are wispy clouds that form high in the atmosphere. They are associated with fair to pleasant weather.
STRATUS: are uniform clouds that cover the entire sky. They resemble fog but do not meet the ground. They are associated with light rain.
CUMULUS: are white, puffy clouds that resemble cotton wool. They have a flat base and rounded tops. These clouds are associated with fair weather.
CUMULONIMBUS: are thunderstorm clouds. Their appearance resembles that of an anvil. These clouds are associated with heavy rain, hail, snow and thunderstorms.
How do you measure the weather conditions?
We use a range of equipment to measure weather conditions, ranging from rain gauges to observing the cloud cover.
CLOUD COVER: to measure the amount of cloud cover we first take a transparent sheet and divide it into eights. Each eighths we call an okta. We then hold our transparent sheet up to an area of unobstructed sky and estimate how many eights of the sky is covered by cloud. We then convert this into a number of oktas, e.g. 2/8 would equal 2 oktas. RAINFALL: to measure rainfall we use a piece of equipment known as a rain gauge. This is a metal tube which has a measuring cylinder and funnel inside. You bury it in the ground to prevent it being knocked over. They stand 30 cm high when placed in the ground, this makes sure that no rain splashes off the ground into the rain gauge. AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: the average daily temperature is measured using a maximum-minimum thermometer. This thermometer consists of two sides, one measures the minimum temperature and the other measures the maximum temperature. You can then use both these readings to work out the average daily temperature. You do this by adding them both together and dividing the answer by two. WIND SPEED: wind speed is measured using a piece of equipment called a cup anemometer. This looks like a stick with four small cups attached which then spin around with the wind. The speed at which they rotate increases as the wind speed increases. The speed of the wind is normally measured in kilometres per hour. WIND DIRECTION: we measure the wind direction using a wind vane. These can often be seen on the roofs of houses. They consist of an arrow which turns to show the wind direction. We then use the compass directions below the arrow to best describe the direction which the wind is blowing. |
What is climate?
Climate is different to weather in that it is the average weather conditions that you can expect to find in a location throughout the year.
Factors that influence climate
LATITUDE
There are several factors which can influence the climate of a location. We can remember the five factors using the acronym LAWS O.
LATITUDE
ALTITUDE
WIND
SEA
OCEAN CURRENTS
LATITUDE
ALTITUDE
WIND
SEA
OCEAN CURRENTS
Latitude is the lines that run around the planet from east to west. They show how far a location is north and south of the equator.
At the equator the sun is directly overhead. This means that the sun’s rays are concentrated and only have to heat up a small area of land.
Where as at the poles the sun is at a lower angle in the sky, this means the sun’s rays are spread out over a larger area so cannot heat the ground enough to cause high temperatures.
At the equator the sun is directly overhead. This means that the sun’s rays are concentrated and only have to heat up a small area of land.
Where as at the poles the sun is at a lower angle in the sky, this means the sun’s rays are spread out over a larger area so cannot heat the ground enough to cause high temperatures.
ALTITUDEAltitude can affect the temperature as temperatures will face by 1°C for every 100 meters gained in altitude. This is because the air becomes thinner as you travel up through the atmosphere which means that it can store less heat. This is why it is colder as you climb towards the peak of a mountain.
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PREVAILING WINDSThe prevailing wind is the normal direction of the wind. When the wind blows over a piece of land it will take on the same characteristics of the land.
This means that is the wind blows over an area of hot land, such as a desert, it will pick up heat and become hot. Whereas if the wind blows over a cold surface, such as an icecap, it will become cold. The wind will also become dry or wet depending on the surface it blows over. This means that the wind can influence both the temperature and amount rainfall. |
DISTANCE FROM THE SEALand heats up a lot faster than the sea. This means that during the summer places in the middle of continents, such as Madrid, will be a lot hotter than places on the coast, such as Barcelona.
However, the land then cools down very quickly. Whereas the sea cools down much slower, so remains warm for much of the winter. This means that places in the middle of continents, like Madrid, will face very cold winters. Whilst places on the coast, like Barcelona, will face warmer winters than places inland. |
OCEAN CURRENTS
The water in the world's oceans is constantly moving. These are called oceans currents. The parts of the oceans that are on the equator are hotter than those which are found near the poles.
Ocean currents then move this water around, which then influences the climate of a particular location.
An example of this is the UK, where the North Atlantic Drift brings warm water from the Caribbean and keeps the UK's climate mild.
Ocean currents then move this water around, which then influences the climate of a particular location.
An example of this is the UK, where the North Atlantic Drift brings warm water from the Caribbean and keeps the UK's climate mild.
RAINFOREST AND ME
GLOBAL POPULATION |
On 31st October 2011 the 7 billionth person was born, but why is it important that we know how many people live on our planet?
Population is the number of people who live within a country. Population can cause governments lots of problems as some countries have over 1 billion people living in them and others have less than 1,000.
Population is the number of people who live within a country. Population can cause governments lots of problems as some countries have over 1 billion people living in them and others have less than 1,000.
MAP SKILLS |
Most people today have maps on their mobiles, but what skills do I need to be able to use a map correctly?