Global Atmospheric Circulation 2.1b & 2.1a

Question 1

What are the three circulation cells and where are they located?

Answer 1

Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells. The Hadley cell is at the equator, followed by the Ferrel cell 30 degrees North and South, and then the Polar cells 60 degrees North and South.

Question 2

Where is the majority of heat energy located and why?

Answer 2

At the equator, and because it receives the most solar radiation.

Question 3

How do the circulation cells work?

Answer 3

Warmed air first rises at the equator, and creates low pressure. The air then splits into North and South as it cools, then sinks causing high pressure. Some cooled air moves back to the Equator as trade winds but the rest travels towards the Poles. At the Polar cells 60 degrees North and South the warm air of the Ferrel cells rises and travels to the Poles where it cools and sinks, causing high pressure.

Question 4

What happens in Oceanic circulation?

Answer 4

Heat energy at the Equator is also present in oceans. Wind driven surface currents and deeper ocean currents move warm water to the Poles and cold water to the Equator. In the Arctic and Antarctic cold water is dense so it sinks. The warm water from the Equator replaces the surface water and the cool water flows back to the Equator, creating an ocean current, such as the Gulf Stream.