Investigate each statement and select the one that best describes why southwest South America has a dry climate.(1 point)
Responses
The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America.
The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America.
There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.
There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.
The Gulf Stream produces a dry climate in southwest South America.
The Gulf Stream produces a dry climate in southwest South America.
Southwest South America is in the intertropical convergence zone.
There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.
Question
How does latitude help you investigate where the coldest climates on Earth might be during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice?(1 point)
Responses
Latitudes closest to Greenwich, England, would experience less-intense solar radiation, or none at all, during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Latitudes closest to Greenwich, England, would experience less-intense solar radiation, or none at all, during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Latitudes 0°–20°S would not receive any energy from the sun during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Latitudes 0°–20°S would not receive any energy from the sun during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
The tropical zone latitudes would have the coldest climates on Earth during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice because the angle of incidence at the equator is no longer 90°.
The tropical zone latitudes would have the coldest climates on Earth during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice because the angle of incidence at the equator is no longer 90°.
Latitudes farthest away from the equator in the Southern Hemisphere would experience less-intense solar radiation, or none at all, during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Latitudes farthest away from the equator in the Southern Hemisphere would experience less-intense solar radiation, or none at all, during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Which location experiences 24 hours of darkness for many weeks during the Southern Hemisphere summer?(1 point)
Responses
Greenwich, England
Greenwich, England
the Tropic of Cancer
the Tropic of Cancer
the South Pole
the South Pole
the North Pole
the North Pole
the South Pole
How does a mountain range help you investigate why there’s a dry climate on the leeward side of it?(1 point)
Responses
Mountain ranges create plateaus.
Mountain ranges create plateaus.
A mountain range could host an alpine tundra ecosystem, creating a dry climate on the leeward side of the range.
A mountain range could host an alpine tundra ecosystem, creating a dry climate on the leeward side of the range.
Mountain ranges create windward deserts.
Mountain ranges create windward deserts.
Mountain ranges can create rainshadow deserts.
Mountain ranges can create rainshadow deserts.
Mountain ranges can create rainshadow deserts.
Question
Which statement offers the best analysis of how climate impacts the distribution of the world’s tropical rain forests?(1 point)
Responses
Climates with mountainous regions where biome-related changes happen quickly as elevation increases are associated with tropical rain forests.
Climates with mountainous regions where biome-related changes happen quickly as elevation increases are associated with tropical rain forests.
Climates that have relatively low temperatures year-round and low precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
Climates that have relatively low temperatures year-round and low precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
Climates that have relatively warm temperatures year-round and high precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
Climates that have relatively warm temperatures year-round and high precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
Tropical rain forest distribution is most associated with regions where the average temperature of the coldest month is below 26.6°F.
Climates that have relatively warm temperatures year-round and high precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
To investigate each statement and determine which one best describes why southwest South America has a dry climate, we need to analyze each statement and its relevance to the climate conditions in the region.
1. The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America.
The northeast trade winds blow from the northeast towards the equator. While it is true that they blow onto the west coast of South America, this statement alone does not provide a direct explanation of why southwest South America has a dry climate.
2. There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.
This statement is more relevant to understanding the climate in southwest South America. Cold ocean currents, such as the Humboldt Current, flow northward along the west coast of South America. These currents cool the air as it passes over the ocean, resulting in cool and dry conditions along the coast.
3. The Gulf Stream produces a dry climate in southwest South America.
The Gulf Stream is a powerful warm ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows northward along the eastern coast of the United States. It does not directly impact the climate in southwest South America. Therefore, this statement is not accurate in describing the dry climate of the region.
4. Southwest South America is in the intertropical convergence zone.
The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is an area near the equator where trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres converge. It is associated with heavy rainfall rather than a dry climate. Therefore, this statement does not accurately describe the reasons for the dry climate in southwest South America either.
Based on the analysis, statement 2, "There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America," is the most accurate description of why southwest South America has a dry climate.