APES 4.5 - Global Wind Patterns

Which of the following combinations correctly identifies and explains the effects of the differences in the distribution of solar radiation on Earth as seen in the diagram above?

Global wind patterns are created because uneven solar radiation results in warm air at low latitudes and cool air at high latitudes, resulting in density differences between the air masses.

Coriolis Effect

- Deflection of objects traveling through atm. due to spin of earth - Air @ 30o moves back to L pressure of equator - Wind between 0-30o moves from E→ W - b/c earth is spinning W→ E - Wind between 30o-60o moves W→ E - b/c earth spins faster @ 30o than 60o

Air properties

- Warm air rises - Warm air holds more moisture than cold - Rising air expands & cools - Cool air can't hold as much H2O vapor (condenses → rain) - After cooling & expanding, air sinks

Equator

0 degrees latitude LOW pressure

Global wind patterns

1. Air moves out from 30o to 0o and 60o due to H pressure @ 30 degrees & L pressure @ 0 & 60 a. Air rising @ equator = low pressure, air sinking down @ 30 degrees = high pressure 2. 0 degrees - 30 winds blow E → W (Eastern trade) 2. Drives ocean current clockwise in N hemisphere, a. counterclockwise in S hem. 30 degrees - 60 degrees: winds blow W→ E (Westerlies) a. Drives weather patterns of N America

Hadley cell

1.) More direct sunlight @ equator warms air 2.) Warm air rises, cools, and expands H2O vapor condenses into rain 3.) Air continues to rise, cool, and expand 4.) Cooling, expanding air spreads out 5.) cool, dry air sinks back down to earth @ 30o N & S Deserts form here due to lack of moisture in air

Polar easterlies

Prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60degrees-90degrees latitude in northern hemisphere

Trade winds

Prevailing winds that blow northeast from 30 degrees north latitude to the equator and that blow southeast from 30 degrees south latitude to the equator

Which of the following is the best explanation for the formation of Hadley cells in the tropics, as seen in the diagram, between 30°N30°N and 30°S30°S latitude?

The Sun warms the moist air at the equator and causes it to rise because of its lower density. As the warm air moves away from the equator, it cools, becomes denser, and then sinks.

Which of the following is the best explanation for the deflection of the trade winds in both hemispheres, as seen in the diagram above?

The wind is deflected west because of Earth's rotation.

Prevailing easterlies

These winds are found 60 degrees above north latitude and 60 degrees below south latitude.

Where is there no wind?

at 0, 30, and 60 degrees because it is in between the easterlies and westerlies ***Doldrom

Polar westerlies

prevailing wind s that blow from west to east between 30* and 60* lattitude in southern hemisphere

Poles

very cold HIGH pressure

Prevailing westerlies

winds that blow west to east between 30 and 60 degrees in the northern and southern hemispheres