Air Circulation Flashcards
1
Q
What happens to warm air?
A
- It expands and becomes less dense
- This causes it to rise
- This then creates wind.
2
Q
What happens when warm air rises above the equator?
A
- It is replaced by air from the tropics (30N & 30s)
- As the warm air continues to rise, it eventually cools.
- It is pushed by the air that continues to rise to the poles
- When it reaches latitude 30N & 30S it sinks back to the surface.
- This creates a loop called the Hadley Cell.
3
Q
What happens to cool air in the poles?
A
- When air cools it becomes more dense and pushes against the surface of the Earth
- Along the surface, the Earth is forced to lower latitudes.
- Completed at 60N&S
4
Q
How is the Ferrel Cell created?
A
- When air rises it is replaced by air from the sides.
5
Q
What is the overall impact of the 3 cells?
A
Transfer heat from the equator to the poles.
6
Q
What is wind?
A
Air moving from high to low pressure
7
Q
What happens in low pressure?
A
- Usually associated with high winds and warm air
- As warm air cools and condenses as it rises it forms clouds.
- Eventually, moisture falls from the atmosphere known as precipitation.
8
Q
What happens in areas of high pressure?
A
- Air cools it becomes denser and starts to fall towards the ground
- This cool air is warmed which causes any clouds to evaporate
- Clear skies, dry and calm weather.
9
Q
Temperate Climate:
A
- In mid latitudes, 60N&S two air types meet
- Warm from ferrel and cold from the polar
- Low pressure is created by the rising warm air
- Rises, cools, condenses, clouds
- Frequent rainfall.
10
Q
Tropical:
A
- Belt of low pressure
- Heavy rainfall
- Thunderstorms as a result of rising air in the Hadley cell
11
Q
Desert:
A
- 30N&S of the equator there is high pressure
- As a result of sinking air, dry air as the Hadley and Ferrel cells meet
12
Q
Polar:
A
- Cold air from the polar cell sinks producing high pressure
- Dry, icy winds caused by the spin of the Earth.
