Questions and Answers
What is a Hadley cell?
The atmospheric circulation cell nearest the equator in each hemisphere, where air rises near the equator due to strong solar heating and falls around 30 degrees latitude.
What defines a Ferrel cell?
The middle atmospheric circulation cell in each hemisphere where air rises at 60 degrees latitude and falls at 30 degrees latitude.
Describe a Polar cell.
Cells of air circulation occurring between 60 degrees north and south and each pole.
What is convergence in atmospheric terms?
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What does divergence refer to in the atmosphere?
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What is low pressure associated with?
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What is high pressure associated with?
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What is the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone?
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What is the Polar Front?
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Describe the Polar Front Jet stream.
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What is the Sub Tropical jet stream?
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What are the Doldrums?
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What are the Westerlies?
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Describe Trade winds.
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What are ocean currents in relation to heat distribution?
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Study Notes
Tri Cell Model
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Hadley cell: Located nearest the equator in each hemisphere; characterized by rising air due to strong solar heating and descending air around 30 degrees latitude.
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Ferrel cell: Situated between the Hadley and Polar cells; air rises at 60 degrees latitude and descends at 30 degrees latitude.
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Polar cell: Covers areas between 60 degrees north/south and the poles; involved in the circulation of polar air.
Atmospheric Dynamics
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Convergence: Occurs when air streams meet either in the upper troposphere or at the Earth's surface, leading to low pressure systems.
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Divergence: Happens when air streams move apart in the upper troposphere or at the Earth's surface, associated with high pressure systems.
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Low pressure: Linked to convergence at the surface and divergence aloft, typically resulting in cloudy and stormy weather.
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High pressure: Related to divergence on the surface and convergence above, usually bringing clear and calm conditions.
Weather Features
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Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ): Zone where trade winds converge, resulting in significant rainfall, seasonal droughts, and hurricane formation.
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Polar Front: The boundary where cold polar air meets warmer air from lower latitudes, often associated with storm activity.
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Polar Front Jet Stream: A fast-flowing air current in the upper atmosphere along the polar front, impacting weather patterns.
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Sub Tropical Jet Stream: Located between the Hadley and Ferrel cells, it plays a role in high-altitude weather dynamics.
Wind Patterns
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Doldrums: Characterized by light winds and calms, situated between the northern and southern trade winds in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
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Westerlies: Prevailing winds that blow from west to east, occurring between 30 and 60 degrees latitude in each hemisphere.
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Trade winds: Prevailing winds that blow from northeast in the northern hemisphere and from southeast in the southern hemisphere towards the equator, creating a significant impact on ocean currents.
Ocean Dynamics
- Ocean currents: Vital for heat redistribution from the equator to the poles, affecting climate and weather patterns across the globe.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the Tri Cell Model, which includes the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells. Each card features key terms and definitions essential for understanding atmospheric circulation patterns. Perfect for students studying meteorology or atmospheric sciences.