4.5 Global Wind Patterns

Question 1

Hadley Cells

Answer 1

near the equator: surface air warms, rises, and expands which releases moisture by producing heavy rainfall

• air currents are cool and descend 30 degrees north and south
• regions around 30 degrees are arid and dry

Question 2

Ferrel cells

Answer 2

lifts moist air and creates precipitation at 60 degrees north and south, which enables forests to grow, air descends at 30 degrees latitude, and in polar regions

Question 3

Polar Cells

Answer 3

Near the poles and have cold, dry air

Question 4

Coriolis effect

Answer 4

The earth spins faster at the equator than the poles, and sends winds east and west

Question 5

What happens at 30 degrees latitude?

Answer 5

Cool, dry air sinks and is more dense which forms high pressure zones

Question 6

Describe the process of the Hadley cells

Answer 6

the sun’s rays are most intense at the equator, leading to hot air, which is less dense and carries a lot of moisture. The air at the equator will rise which forms low-pressure zones