Global Atmospheric Circulation.

Question 1

Definition:

Answer 1

How air CIRCULATES between low and high pressure belts as a result of differing conditions at different LATITUDES.

Question 2

High-pressure belts of wind: what is the cause?

Answer 2

• Cool sinking air.
  
  • MINIMAL rainfall and no clouds.
    
    • this is because the less DENSE air is further from the equator.

Question 3

Low-pressure belts of wind: what is the cause?

Answer 3

• Hot rising air.
  
  • Cold air blown from POLES meet warm air surface winds.
• Air SPLITS with some returning back to equator or poles

Question 4

Process: 1st Step.

Answer 4

• Earth’s SURFACE warmed by the sun at the equator, transmitting this heat to a nearby air. Air gets hotter and rises forming a LOW-pressure belt

Question 5

Process: 2nd Step.

Answer 5

• Rising air COOLS and moves towards 30 degrees north and south.
• (More DENSE) High pressure belt = MINIMAL rainfall and no clouds.

Question 6

Process: 3rd Step.

Answer 6

• When cool air reaches the earth’s surface, SURFACE WINDS blow air towards equator OR POLES.

Question 7

Process: 4th Step.

Answer 7

• At 60 degrees north and south, cold air blown from poles meet warm air SURFACE WINDS.
• (Less DENSE) Low pressure belt = air begins to cool with water vapour CONDENSING to create RAIN CLOUDS.

Question 8

Process: 5th Step.

Answer 8

Air SPLITS - some return back towards equator or to the POLES.