AP Environmental Science / Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
4.5 Global Wind Patterns
Notes
Uneven heating makes air rise at the equator and sink near 30° latitude (Hadley cells). The Coriolis effect deflects winds, creating trade winds and westerlies.
Practice
Air at the equator:
Warm air rises.
Many deserts are near 30° latitude because:
Hadley cell descent.
The Coriolis effect is caused by:
Spinning planet deflects moving air.
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