The Sun & Heat
Why is it hotter at the Equator?
It receives direct sunlight all year round
Name the 3 circulation cells.
Hadley Cell, Ferrel Cell, Polar Cell.
What is air pressure?
The weight of the air pressing down on Earth's surface.
What do ocean currents do?
Move warm and cold water around the globe, helping to regulate the climate.
What is the Coriolis effect?
The Earth’s rotation causes moving air and water to turn rather than travel in straight lines.
What does the Sun send to Earth?
What does the Sun send to Earth?
What happens in a Hadley Cell?
Warm air rises at the Equator, moves toward 30° latitude, cools, and sinks.
What wind blows over the UK?
The Westerlies.
Name a warm ocean current.
The Gulf Stream.
Define prevailing wind.
A wind that blows most often in a particular direction.
How does Earth’s shape affect heating?
Because the Earth is round, sunlight hits the Equator more directly than the poles
What do Polar cells do
Cold air sinks at the poles and moves toward 60°, where it rises again.
What causes low pressure?
Warm air rises, creating an area of low pressure.
Why don’t ocean currents flow straight?
because of the shape of continents, prevailing winds, and the Coriolis effect
Define prevailing wind
A wind that blows most often in a particular direction.
What is solar radiation?
Energy from the Sun in the form of heat and light.
How do Ferrel Cells work?
They mix warm tropical air with cold polar air, moving in the opposite direction of the other two cells.
What’s the difference between high & low pressure?
High pressure: cool air sinks = dry & clear weather.
Low pressure: warm air rises = cloudy & rainy weather.
Cold currents move in which direction?
From the poles toward the Equator.
How do winds and currents work together?
Winds drive ocean currents and help distribute heat and moisture globally.
Explain why poles are colder
sunlight hits the poles at an angle and spreads over a larger area, making them receive less heat.
How do cells move heat around Earth?
They transport warm air from the Equator to higher latitudes and cold air back toward the Equator.
Describe the path of Trade Winds.
They blow from the east to the west between the Equator and 30° latitude.
How do currents affect climate?
Warm currents warm the coastal areas; cold currents cool them down.
Why does the Sahara stay dry?
It lies in a high-pressure zone where cool air sinks, preventing cloud formation.