The Coriolis Effect Defined: What in the World is it?
Warm air Rises and cold air falls- Why?
What is the general pattern of wind currents on the globe?
What is a convection current?
A convection current forms in a room when air flows from a hot radiator to a cold, closed window and back. Air warms, expands, become less dense, and rises over the radiator. Then, the air cools, contracts, becomes denser, and falls near the cold glass window.
Global circulation is driven by two processes?
Notes:
Density: Temperature and water vapor greatly influence air density. Humid air is less dense than dry air. Warm air is less dense than cold air.
Pressure: At the Earths surface, air molecules are packed tightly. As air masses rise, they become less dense, expand, and cool. Cooler air masses fall, they become compressed and heat up.
Putting it all Together:
Define and explain:
Hadley Cells: They are tropical currents in honor of George Hadley. As air in the equator rises, it loses moisture by rainfall caused by expanding and cooling. When the air has traveled 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S latitude, then the air becomes dense enough to fall back to the surface.
Ferrel cells: The air is driven by uneven heating. This is influenced by the Coriolis Effect, and created the Westernly Winds.
Polar Cells: Air that is cold at the poles that is being blown towards the equator at the surface and turns to the west. When each hemisphere is between 50-60 degrees latitude, and then it has taken enough heat and moisture to ascend. Then the air turns to poleward to a complete full circuit called the Polar Cells.
Horse Latitudes: An area of high atmospheric pressure and little surface wind is the
Doldrums: Sailors created a special term for the calm equitorial areas
Quiz: Complete online quiz
Warm air Rises and cold air falls- Why?
What is the general pattern of wind currents on the globe?
What is a convection current?
A convection current forms in a room when air flows from a hot radiator to a cold, closed window and back. Air warms, expands, become less dense, and rises over the radiator. Then, the air cools, contracts, becomes denser, and falls near the cold glass window.
Global circulation is driven by two processes?
Notes:
Density: Temperature and water vapor greatly influence air density. Humid air is less dense than dry air. Warm air is less dense than cold air.
Pressure: At the Earths surface, air molecules are packed tightly. As air masses rise, they become less dense, expand, and cool. Cooler air masses fall, they become compressed and heat up.
Putting it all Together:
Define and explain:
Hadley Cells: They are tropical currents in honor of George Hadley. As air in the equator rises, it loses moisture by rainfall caused by expanding and cooling. When the air has traveled 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S latitude, then the air becomes dense enough to fall back to the surface.
Ferrel cells: The air is driven by uneven heating. This is influenced by the Coriolis Effect, and created the Westernly Winds.
Polar Cells: Air that is cold at the poles that is being blown towards the equator at the surface and turns to the west. When each hemisphere is between 50-60 degrees latitude, and then it has taken enough heat and moisture to ascend. Then the air turns to poleward to a complete full circuit called the Polar Cells.
Horse Latitudes: An area of high atmospheric pressure and little surface wind is the
Doldrums: Sailors created a special term for the calm equitorial areas
Quiz: Complete online quiz