Atmosphere: Circulation Cells & Surface Winds Redistributing Energy

Question 1

Northern Hemisphere: What direction are winds deflected, and what by? (Coriolis Effect)

Answer 1

Winds are deflected to the right due to the Coriolis Effect (1) which is caused by the spinning of the Earth. (1)

Question 2

Northern Hemisphere: Where are warm and cold air distributed?

Answer 2

Warm air is distributed to higher/ cooler latitudes and cold air is distributed to lower/ warmer lattitudes.

Question 3

Which cells are thermally direct and which cells are thermally indirect?

Answer 3

The Hadley/Polar Cells are thermally direct (1) and the Ferrel Cell is thermally indirect. (1)

Question 4

Hadley cell: Which direction does warm air rise and what does this cause

Answer 4

Warm air rises at the Equator creating low pressure

Question 5

Hadley cell: Air splits and moves..

Answer 5

The air splits in the atmosphere and moves towards the poles

Question 6

Hadley cell: What does air do at the tropics and what does this cause?

Answer 6

Air cools and sinks at the Tropics/ 30 degrees creating high pressure

Question 7

Hadley cell: Example and where does the wind move?

Answer 7

The North East Trade (1) winds move air back to the equator (1) completing the Hadley cell (1)