WIND DRIVEN CIRCULATION

Question 1

comparison of solar radiation at equator than polar regions?

Answer 1

• HIGH solar radiation at equator than polar regions
• makes air above surface warmer
• makes air above expand (density low)
• low density makes air rise
• creates pressure difference which pushes air up to poles
• at poles air cools down and sinks back towards equator

Question 2

what does the earths rotation produce?

Answer 2

• strong modification of large scale movements of air and water

Question 3

what is the coriolis effect?

Answer 3

• object moving relative to ground is deflected from original path
• RIGHT IN N HEMISPHERE
• LEFT IN S HEMISPHERE
• does not occur in small scales.

Question 4

what is the ekman transport?

Answer 4

• surface flow is deflected relative to wind ( coriolis)
• deeper flow shows greater deflection

Question 5

what is the ekman spiral?

Answer 5

• surface flow 45° to wind (to right in northern hemisphere)
• new flow= 90° to wind (EKMAN TRANSPORT)
• at base of spiral, flow is opposite to wind