The document summarizes global air circulation patterns driven by uneven solar heating of the atmosphere. It describes the formation of circulation cells including the Hadley cell near the equator, Ferrel cell between 30-60 degrees latitude, and polar cell between 60-90 degrees latitude. Warm air rises at the equator forming low pressure, and cold air sinks at the poles forming high pressure, driving global wind patterns. Key pressure zones include the equatorial low, subtropical highs, subpolar lows, and polar highs.
2. Unequal heating of the
atmosphere
The solar energy from the sun is distributed uneven across the earths surface
Temperatures at the equator are high because incoming solar radiation is
more intense as the suns energy is more concentrated
Temperatures at the poles are low as the incoming solar radiation is less
intense as the suns energy is less concentrated
The difference in temperature causes
Sibisi,2017
4. The relationship between air
pressure and temperature
Due to high temperatures at the equator ,the rises up into the
atmosphere. This creates low pressure .
low pressure is associated with high precipitation
Low temperatures at the poles causes the air to sink .this creates
high pressure (Sibisi,2017)
High pressure is associated with cold dry conditions
The difference in temperature and air pressure causes the air to
move horizontally and vertically
Forming global air circulation
7. Equatorial low pressure
. Mokgopa ,2021
Located at the equator (0 degrees N &S)
Located at the equator (0 degrees N &S)
Also known as the inter tropical convergence
zone (ITCZ )Where trade winds meet.
Also known as the inter tropical convergence
zone (ITCZ )Where trade winds meet.
Associated with Hadley cell
Associated with Hadley cell
Experiences warm and wet conditions
Experiences warm and wet conditions
9. Sub- Polar Low
Pressure
Saloni,& Rahman,2018
It extends 60属N and 60属S of
Equator.
Air converges and rises
Associated with tropical
westerlies
Associated with cool and moist
conditions
12. Hadley cell
between the equator and 30 degrees N and S .
warm air rises near the equator, cools as it
travels toward the poles at high altitude, sinks as
cold air, and warms as it travels towards the
equator(Rahman,2018) .
Produces trade winds, jet streams and
hurricanes.
Cresnick,2010
13. Ferrel cell
Located between 30 and 60degrees north and
south of the equator
Associated with high pressure
Descending air warms by compression giving
cloudless and stable conditions
Rahman,2018
14. Polar cell
LOCATED BETWEEN 60 AND
90 DEGREES N AND S
COLD AIR SINKS CAUSING
HIGH PRESSURE
ASSOCIATED WITH STABLE
COLD CONDITIONS
Rahman,2018
15. References
Cresnick.(2010).ch18 winds students. Available at deshare.net/cresnick/ch18windsstudent?
qid=2fb178a2-4ea4-48ab-b22c-4b4e53984fbf&v=&b=&from_search=2 .accessed on 20
august 2022.
Mokgopa,T.(2021).Global air circulation. Available
at:/TsiamoMokgopa/global-air-circulation-250516149 .Accessed
on 20 august 2022.
Rahman,K.(2018). General Circulation of the Atmosphere. available at:
/KhalilurRahman63/genaral-circulation-of-the-
atmosphere.Accessed on 20 august 2022.
Saloni777.(2018).pressure and winds grade11 geography. Available at
/Saloni777/pressure-and-winds-11-class-geography.
Sibisi,N.(2017). Global air circulation. available at:
/nhlanhlasibisi2/global-air-circulation. Accessed on 20 august
2022.