Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation

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Air Pressure Noun

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[air presh-er]

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Air Pressure

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The force exerted onto a surface by the weight of the air in the atmosphere above it.

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Example: The image shows how air pressure decreases with altitude, using labeled pressure levels and air density dots.

Front

Wind Noun

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[wind]

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Wind

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The natural movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.

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Example: Arrows show how wind moves from high to low pressure areas around Earth.

Front

Sea Breeze Noun

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[see breez]

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Sea Breeze

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A local wind blowing from a large body of water toward land, caused by differential heating of land and water.

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Example: Warm air rises over land, and cool air from the sea moves in, creating a sea breeze.

Front

Land Breeze Noun

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[land breez]

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Land Breeze

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A local wind blowing from land toward a large body of water, caused by differential cooling of land and water.

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Example: Cool air moves from land to sea at night, creating a land breeze.

Front

Conduction Noun

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[kon-duk-shun]

Back

Conduction

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The process of transferring thermal energy through direct contact between particles of matter without movement of the matter itself.

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Example: Heating one end of a metal bar transfers thermal energy to the cooler end.

Front

Convection Noun

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[kon-vek-shun]

Back

Convection

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The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of particles within a fluid, such as the rising of warm air.

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Example: Warm water rises and cool water sinks, creating a circular flow.

Front

Convection Cell Noun

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[kon-vek-shun sel]

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Convection Cell

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A large, circular pattern of fluid movement caused by density differences, which redistributes thermal energy around the globe.

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Example: Heating water in a pot creates a convection cell, moving warm water up and cooler water down.

Front

Polar Easterlies Noun

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[poh-ler ee-ster-leez]

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Polar Easterlies

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Dry, cold prevailing winds that blow from high-pressure areas of the polar highs toward low-pressure areas.

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Example: Arrows show polar easterlies blowing from polar regions, illustrating wind direction and atmospheric circulation.

Front

Prevailing Westerlies Noun

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[pri-vay-ling wes-ter-leez]

Back

Prevailing Westerlies

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Steady winds that flow from west to east between latitudes 30 and 60 degrees in both hemispheres.

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Example: Arrows show prevailing westerlies blowing from west to east between 30 and 60 degrees latitude.

Front

Trade Winds Noun

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[trayd windz]

Back

Trade Winds

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Persistent east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in the Earth's equatorial region between 30°N and 30°S latitudes.

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Example: Arrows show trade winds blowing from east to west near the equator.