All Flashcards
Describe the process of heat redistribution on Earth.
Uneven solar radiation -> temperature differences -> atmospheric/oceanic circulation -> warm air/water moves to poles, cold air/water moves to equator.
Describe the formation of Hadley cells.
Warm, moist air rises at the equator -> cools and releases moisture -> dry air descends at 30° latitude.
How do convection cells influence climate?
Redistribute heat and moisture, create predictable weather patterns.
How does the Coriolis effect influence trade winds?
Deflects winds moving towards the equator, creating consistent wind patterns.
Define atmospheric convection cell.
Loops of rising and sinking air driven by temperature differences.
What is the Coriolis Effect?
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°.
Define 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.
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.