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What is Global Atmospheric Circulation? Learn About GAC and Coriolis Effect for GCSE Geography

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emily louise

09/05/2023

Geography

Global Atmospheric Circulation (GAC)

What is Global Atmospheric Circulation? Learn About GAC and Coriolis Effect for GCSE Geography

Global atmospheric circulation is a complex system of wind patterns that distribute heat and moisture around the Earth. This model consists of three main cells in each hemisphere, driven by temperature differences and the Earth's rotation.

  • The three cells are the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells
  • Coriolis effect influences wind direction, causing deflection to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere
  • Trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies are the main prevailing winds
  • High and low pressure zones play a crucial role in global wind patterns
...

09/05/2023

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What is Global Atmospheric Circulation? Learn About GAC and Coriolis Effect for GCSE Geography

user profile picture

emily louise

@emilylouise

Global atmospheric circulation is a complex system of wind patterns that distribute heat and moisture around the Earth. This model consists of three main cells in each hemisphere, driven by temperature differences and the Earth's rotation.

  • The three cells are... Show more

prevaling winds
trade winds
LOW PRESSURE
.
trade winds
global atmospheric circulation
polar easterlies
prevailing winds
HIGH PRESSURE
polar

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Global Atmospheric Circulation and Wind Patterns

The global atmospheric circulation model is a fundamental concept in understanding Earth's climate system. This model explains how air moves around the planet, creating distinct wind patterns and pressure zones.

Definition: Global atmospheric circulation refers to the large-scale movement of air in the Earth's atmosphere, driven by temperature differences and the planet's rotation.

The diagram illustrates the three main circulation cells in each hemisphere:

  1. Polar Cell 90ยฐโˆ’60ยฐlatitude90ยฐ-60ยฐ latitude
  2. Ferrel Cell 60ยฐโˆ’30ยฐlatitude60ยฐ-30ยฐ latitude
  3. Hadley Cell 30ยฐโˆ’0ยฐlatitude30ยฐ-0ยฐ latitude

Highlight: There are three global atmospheric circulation cells in each hemisphere, creating a total of six cells worldwide.

These cells are responsible for the distribution of heat and moisture across the globe, influencing weather patterns and climate zones.

Vocabulary: Prevailing winds are the dominant wind patterns in a particular region, determined by the global atmospheric circulation.

The diagram shows several types of prevailing winds:

  1. Trade winds: Found in the Hadley Cell, moving towards the equator
  2. Westerlies: Located in the Ferrel Cell, moving poleward
  3. Polar easterlies: Present in the Polar Cell, moving towards lower latitudes

Example: The trade winds were historically crucial for sailing ships, as they provided reliable wind patterns for navigation across oceans.

An important factor influencing wind patterns is the Coriolis effect.

Definition: The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects includingairmassesincluding air masses due to the Earth's rotation.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes winds to bend to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, winds bend to the left. This phenomenon significantly impacts global wind patterns and ocean currents.

Highlight: The Coriolis effect is responsible for the characteristic clockwise rotation of high-pressure systems and counterclockwise rotation of low-pressure systems in the Northern Hemisphere.

The diagram also illustrates the distribution of high and low pressure zones:

  • High pressure zones are found at the poles and around 30ยฐ latitude
  • Low pressure zones are located near the equator and around 60ยฐ latitude

Vocabulary: High pressure systems typically bring clear, stable weather, while low pressure systems are associated with cloudy, unsettled conditions.

An interesting note on the diagram mentions the absence of wind across the equator, creating an area known as the doldrums.

Example: Sailors in the past often found themselves stuck in the doldrums, where the lack of wind made progress difficult.

Understanding global atmospheric circulation is crucial for GCSE Geography students, as it forms the basis for comprehending climate patterns, weather systems, and their impacts on human activities and ecosystems worldwide.

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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโ€™t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโ€™m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿ’—โœจ๐ŸŽ€๐Ÿ˜ฎ

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

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