Global Winds and the Coriolis Effect

Front

What is wind?

Back

Wind is the movement of air from high pressure areas to low pressure areas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What causes wind?

Back

Wind is caused by unequal heating of the Earth's surface, leading to convection currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Convection currents are the circular movements of air or water caused by the heating and cooling of the fluid.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Back

The Coriolis Effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects (like winds) caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

How do global winds move?

Back

Global winds move in all directions due to the Coriolis Effect and the uneven heating of the Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What are the Prevailing Westerlies?

Back

The Prevailing Westerlies are winds that blow from the west to the east between 30 and 60 degrees latitude.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is high pressure?

Back

High pressure is an area where the air is denser and heavier, leading to calm and clear weather.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is low pressure?

Back

Low pressure is an area where the air is less dense, often leading to cloudy and stormy weather.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What role does the sun play in wind formation?

Back

The sun heats the Earth's surface unevenly, which creates temperature differences and leads to wind.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What are trade winds?

Back

Trade winds are steady winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, between the equator and 30 degrees latitude.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6