Coriolis Effect

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Coriolis Effect Noun

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[kor-ee-oh-lis uh-fekt]

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Coriolis Effect

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The apparent curving of objects, like wind, over large distances on Earth, caused by the planet's rotation.

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Example: This diagram shows how Earth's rotation deflects moving air, creating curved paths for global winds like the Trade Winds and Westerlies.

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Convection Current Noun

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[kuhn-vek-shuhn kur-uhnt]

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Convection Current

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The circular movement of a fluid, like air, caused by temperature and density differences where warmer material rises.

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Example: Heat from the stove causes water at the bottom to become hot and less dense, making it rise. Cooler, denser water from the top sinks to take its place, creating a circular flow.

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High Pressure Noun

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[hahy presh-er]

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High Pressure

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An atmospheric condition where cooler, denser air sinks towards the surface, typically resulting in clear skies and fair weather.

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Example: This diagram shows that high pressure occurs where air particles are more densely packed, such as at sea level, compared to higher altitudes.

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Low Pressure Noun

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[loh presh-er]

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Low Pressure

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An atmospheric condition where warmer, less dense air rises, often leading to the formation of clouds and precipitation.

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Example: In a low-pressure system, air rises and cools, causing clouds and rain to form. At the surface, air spirals inward due to the Coriolis effect.

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Deflection Noun

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[dih-flek-shuhn]

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Deflection

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The action of causing something to change direction, such as the bending of wind paths by the Coriolis effect.

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Example: This image shows a light ray bouncing off a mirror, which is called reflection. It does not illustrate deflection caused by the Coriolis effect.

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Cyclonic Rotation Noun

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[sahy-klon-ik roh-tey-shuhn]

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Cyclonic Rotation

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The rotational movement of air around a low-pressure center, counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern.

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Example: This world map shows how the Coriolis Effect causes large storms to spin counter-clockwise north of the equator and clockwise south of it.

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Hadley Cell Noun

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[had-lee sel]

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Hadley Cell

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A large-scale atmospheric convection cell where air rises at the equator and sinks at about 30 degrees latitude.

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Example: This diagram shows the Hadley Cell, a large circular pattern of air movement where warm air rises at the equator and cool air sinks.

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Ferrel Cell Noun

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[fer-uhl sel]

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Ferrel Cell

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The atmospheric convection cell in the mid-latitudes, between 30 and 60 degrees, moving opposite to adjacent cells.

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Example: This diagram shows the Ferrel cell, an air circulation pattern in the mid-latitudes, located between the Hadley and Polar cells, driving weather systems.

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Polar Cell Noun

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[poh-ler sel]

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Polar Cell

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The smallest, weakest atmospheric convection cell where cold polar air sinks and flows towards 60 degrees latitude before rising.

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Example: This diagram shows the Polar cell as a large-scale circulation of air, with cold air sinking at the pole and flowing towards the equator.

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Trade Winds Noun

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[treyd windz]

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Trade Winds

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Prevailing winds blowing from east to west from 30 degrees latitude towards the equatorial low-pressure zone.

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Example: This diagram shows Trade Winds as surface winds that blow from 30° latitude towards the equator, curving due to the Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect).