Global Winds

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What are global winds?

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Global winds are large-scale wind patterns that occur in the Earth's atmosphere, driven by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun.

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What causes the Coriolis effect?

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The Coriolis effect is caused by the rotation of the Earth, which causes moving air and water to turn and twist rather than moving in a straight line.

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What is the Hadley cell?

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The Hadley cell is a tropical atmospheric circulation cell that extends from the equator to about 30 degrees latitude, characterized by rising warm air at the equator and descending cooler air at 30 degrees.

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What is the role of temperature differences in global winds?

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Temperature differences between the equator and the poles create pressure differences, which drive the movement of air and the formation of global wind patterns.

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What are jet streams?

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Jet streams are narrow, fast-flowing air currents found in the upper levels of the atmosphere, typically at altitudes of 6 to 12 kilometers.

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What is the significance of low-pressure areas?

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Low-pressure areas are regions where warm air rises, leading to cloud formation and precipitation, often associated with stormy weather.

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What is the Ferrel cell?

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The Ferrel cell is a mid-latitude atmospheric circulation cell that lies between the Hadley cell and the Polar cell, characterized by westerly winds.

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How does Earth's rotation affect wind patterns?

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Earth's rotation causes the Coriolis effect, which deflects winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

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What is the primary source of energy for global winds?

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The primary source of energy for global winds is the unequal heating of the Earth by the sun.

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What are prevailing westerlies?

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Prevailing westerlies are winds that blow from the west to the east in the mid-latitudes, typically between 30 and 60 degrees latitude.