Question 1

Why does the equator naturally receive the most heat?

Accepted Answer

The earth's axis is tilted, causing the sun's rays to hit the surface at a higher angle near the equator

Question 2

What are convection cells?

Accepted Answer

Patterns of warm air rising and cool air sinking in the atmosphere that circulate heat from the equator to the poles and help redistribute heat energy on Earth

Question 3

What are Hadley cells?

Accepted Answer

The largest convection cells in the atmosphere that are closest to the equator

Warm air rises from the equator and falls at 30 degrees N/S

Question 4

What are Ferrel cells?

Accepted Answer

Medium-sized convection cells that are in the middle of Hadley and Polar cells (30-60 degrees)

Cold air falling from the Hadley cells pushes warm air up into the Ferrel cells

Question 5

What are Polar cells?

Accepted Answer

Smaller convection cells that are the closest to the poles

Cold air from the poles sinks and flows to lower latitudes, where it warms up and rises

Question 6

What are the three convection cells in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Hadley cells

Ferrel cells

Polar cells

(six in total, three in North, three in South)

Question 7

What is the Coriolis effect?

Accepted Answer

A phenomenon caused by the rotation of the Earth, where objects appear to deflect right in the northern hemisphere and left in the southern hemisphere

(affects global weather patterns and the direction of ocean currents)

Question 8

What are trade winds and westerlies?

Accepted Answer

Trade winds are consistent easterly winds near the equator, while westerlies are consistent westerly winds in the mid-latitudes

(trade winds blow from the east to the west, while westerlies blow from the west to the east)

4.5 Global Wind Patterns, AP Environmental Science Flashcards