Smedes Lecture 4.5 Understanding Global Wind Patterns

Explain how the Coriolis effect influences global wind patterns and provide an example of its impact on weather systems.

• The Coriolis effect causes winds to move in a straight line from the equator to the poles, leading to uniform weather patterns.

• The Coriolis effect causes winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, influencing the formation of trade winds and westerlies.

• The Coriolis effect has no significant impact on global wind patterns and only affects ocean currents.

• The Coriolis effect causes winds to move in a circular pattern around the equator, leading to the formation of hurricanes.

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Using the concept of atmospheric circulation, explain why deserts are commonly found at approximately 30 degrees latitude.

• Deserts are found at 30 degrees latitude because this region receives the most direct sunlight throughout the year.

• Deserts are found at 30 degrees latitude due to the descending air from the Hadley cells, which creates high-pressure zones and dry conditions.

• Deserts are found at 30 degrees latitude because of the Coriolis effect, which directs moist air away from these regions.

• Deserts are found at 30 degrees latitude because of the proximity to large bodies of water that absorb moisture.

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Analyze the relationship between the intensity of solar energy and the formation of different wind belts on Earth.

• The intensity of solar energy is uniform across the Earth, leading to consistent wind patterns globally.

• The intensity of solar energy varies with latitude, causing differential heating that drives the formation of distinct wind belts such as trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies.

• The intensity of solar energy only affects the equatorial regions, with no impact on wind belts at higher latitudes.

• The intensity of solar energy is higher at the poles, leading to stronger wind belts in these regions.

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Evaluate the impact of Earth's rotation on the direction and speed of global wind patterns.

• Earth's rotation has no impact on the direction and speed of global wind patterns.

• Earth's rotation causes winds to move faster at the poles and slower at the equator.

• Earth's rotation causes winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, affecting both direction and speed.

• Earth's rotation causes winds to move in a straight line from east to west across the globe.

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Discuss how the properties of air, such as density, contribute to the formation of high and low-pressure systems.

• High-density air rises, creating low-pressure systems, while low-density air sinks, creating high-pressure systems.

• Low-density air rises, creating high-pressure systems, while high-density air sinks, creating low-pressure systems.

• High-density air sinks, creating high-pressure systems, while low-density air rises, creating low-pressure systems.

• The density of air has no impact on the formation of high and low-pressure systems.

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Plan a simple experiment to demonstrate the Coriolis effect using a rotating platform and a ball. Describe the expected outcome.

• Place the ball on the rotating platform and observe that it moves in a straight line from the center to the edge.

• Place the ball on the rotating platform and observe that it deflects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Place the ball on the rotating platform and observe that it remains stationary due to the lack of external forces.

• Place the ball on the rotating platform and observe that it moves in a circular pattern around the center.

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Using evidence from global wind patterns, explain how the trade winds affect ocean currents and climate in coastal regions.

• Trade winds push warm ocean currents towards the poles, leading to cooler coastal climates.

• Trade winds push warm ocean currents towards the equator, leading to warmer coastal climates.

• Trade winds push warm ocean currents westward, influencing the climate of coastal regions by bringing warm, moist air.

• Trade winds have no impact on ocean currents or coastal climates.

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Analyze the role of the Hadley cell in the distribution of tropical rainforests and deserts on Earth.

• The Hadley cell causes air to rise at the equator and descend at 30 degrees latitude, leading to the formation of tropical rainforests at the equator and deserts at 30 degrees latitude.

• The Hadley cell causes air to descend at the equator and rise at 30 degrees latitude, leading to the formation of deserts at the equator and tropical rainforests at 30 degrees latitude.

• The Hadley cell has no impact on the distribution of tropical rainforests and deserts.

• The Hadley cell causes air to move horizontally from the equator to 30 degrees latitude, leading to uniform vegetation across these regions.

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Evaluate the impact of the Coriolis effect on the formation and movement of cyclones in different hemispheres.

• The Coriolis effect causes cyclones to rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

• The Coriolis effect causes cyclones to rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

• The Coriolis effect has no impact on the rotation of cyclones.

• The Coriolis effect causes cyclones to move in a straight line from the equator to the poles.

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Using the concept of atmospheric circulation, explain why the equatorial regions experience consistent rainfall throughout the year.

• The equatorial regions experience consistent rainfall due to the descending air from the Hadley cells, which creates high-pressure zones and moist conditions.

• The equatorial regions experience consistent rainfall due to the rising air from the Hadley cells, which creates low-pressure zones and frequent precipitation.

• The equatorial regions experience consistent rainfall due to the Coriolis effect, which directs moist air towards these regions.

• The equatorial regions experience consistent rainfall due to the proximity to large bodies of water that provide constant moisture.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking