All Flashcards
Define atmospheric convection cell.
A loop of rising and sinking air driven by temperature differences.
What is the Coriolis Effect?
The apparent deflection of moving objects due to Earth's rotation.
Define Hadley Cell.
Convection cell from 0° to 30° latitude where warm, moist air rises at the equator and descends as dry air around 30°.
Define Ferrel Cell.
Convection cell from 30° to 60° latitude, driven by Hadley and Polar cells; air rises at 60° and sinks at 30°.
Define Polar Cell.
Convection cell from 60° to 90° latitude where cold, dense air sinks at the poles and warmer air rises around 60°.
What are trade winds?
Winds that blow from the high-pressure zones at 30° latitude toward the equator.
Define high pressure.
Air is sinking, creating higher pressure at the surface.
Define low pressure.
Air is rising, creating lower pressure at the surface.
Cause: Earth's rotation. Effect?
Coriolis effect, deflection of wind and currents.
Cause: Uneven solar radiation. Effect?
Temperature differences, atmospheric circulation.
Cause: High pressure. Effect?
Sinking air, clear skies, and diverging winds.
Cause: Low pressure. Effect?
Rising air, cloud formation, and converging winds.
Steps of Hadley cell formation?
Warm, moist air rises at equator, cools, descends at 30°.
Air movement in Polar cells?
Cold, dense air sinks at poles, warmer air rises at 60°.
Wind direction determination?
Air moves from high to low pressure areas.