Global Atmospheric Circulation

Question 1

If the equator continually recieves intense solar energy, why doesn’t it continue to get hotter and hotter?

Answer 1

Global air circulation redistributes the heat

Question 2

What happens at high pressure?

Answer 2

Air sinks - calm, clear skies

Question 3

What happens at low pressure?

Answer 3

Air rises, air rushes in to fill the gap - unsettled, wet, windy

Question 4

What happens at the Hadley cell?

Answer 4

LOW PRESSURE
- air rises
- rainfall
- tropical climate
- rainforest

Question 5

What happens at the Ferrel cell?

Answer 5

HIGH PRESSURE
- air sinks
- hot, dry climate
- deserts

Question 6

What happens at the Polar cell?

Answer 6

LOW PRESSURE
- air rises
- unsettled, wet conditions
- temperate climate

Question 7

What is the coriolis effect?

Answer 7

The air at the surface moves from an area of high to low pressure.
Due to the rotation of the Earth, the movement of this air is distorted and curves as it moves from high to low.
So trade winds move across at an angle.

Question 8

What are trade winds?

Answer 8

Permanent winds that blow east to west in the equatorial region

Question 9

How do trade winds affect weather and climate?

Answer 9

Distributes heat and moisture across the Earth’s surface, which influences the formation of tropical storms and the growth of vegetation
Impact on global navigation - historically used by sailors