The General Atmospheric Circulation System Aim: To understand the redistribution of energy for the Equator to the Poles. Starter: Draw an annotated diagram of the four atmospheric layers. Try to add on roughly there thickness in Km.

The General Atmospheric Circulation System Aim: To understand the redistribution of energy for the Equator to the Poles. Starter: Draw an annotated diagram of the four atmospheric layers. Try to add on roughly there thickness in Km.

The General Atmospheric Circulation System Energy is Redistributed for the Equator to the Poles by Winds… Winds are large scale movements of air caused by differences in air pressure. Differences in air pressure are caused by differences in atmospheric heating between the Equator and the poles. Winds are part of global atmospheric circulation cells. These cells have a body of warm rising air which creates an area of low pressure, and a body of cooling falling air which creates an area of high pressure. Winds move FROM the areas of high pressure TO the areas of low pressure. There are three main types of global atmospheric circulation cells – Hadley, Ferrel and Polar Cells. TASK: Put the statements in the correct order to explain the process.

…and by Ocean Currents Ocean currents are large scale movements of water caused by differences in water density. Density depends on the water temperature and salinity. Currents are affected by surface winds, the position of land masses and other currents. Ocean currents transfer heat energy from warmer to cooler regions. Warm ocean currents raise air temperature, which warms the land nearby. Cool ocean currents lower air temperature, which cools the land nearby. Ocean currents form giant loops that travel clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere. This is because of surface winds – e.g. trade winds push water west along the Equator, and westerlies push water east between 30° and 60° North and South. Ocean currents affect the climate of many regions. For example: The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Caribbean Sea along the east coast of America and across the Atlantic the Western Europe. The Gulf Stream keeps Western Europe much warmer than it would otherwise be. Water in the Gulf Stream cools in the northern hemisphere and becomes more dense. Some of this water sinks and is carried back to the Equator by the Canary Current, which cools the west coast of Africa. Describe how energy is redistributed form the Equator to the poles by winds? (8 marks)

Attempt to draw an annotated diagram of the atmospheric cells!