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Global Wind Patterns

Explore the forces driving global wind patterns, including the Coriolis effect, pressure gradients, and their impact on climate.

Grade 12 Science Earth & Space ScienceGlobal Wind Patterns
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Includes

Multiple ChoiceFill in the BlanksTrue / FalseShort AnswerWord Bank

Standards

HS-ESS2-4HS-ESS2-6

Topics

Earth ScienceAtmosphereWindsCoriolis EffectClimate
7 sections · Free to use · Printable
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Global Wind Patterns

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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your knowledge. For multiple choice questions, select the best option. For short answer questions, provide concise and accurate responses.

1. Which of the following is the primary driving force behind global wind patterns?

a

Earth's magnetic field

b

Uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun

c

Ocean currents

d

Volcanic activity

2. The deflection of moving objects (like air) due to Earth's rotation is known as the:

a

Greenhouse effect

b

Foucault pendulum effect

c

Coriolis effect

d

Thermohaline circulation

1. Air generally flows from areas of high pressure to areas of   pressure.

2. The three main global wind cells are the Hadley cell, the Ferrel cell, and the   cell.

3. The trade winds blow from the subtropical high-pressure zones towards the  .

1. The Coriolis effect causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to deflect to the left.

T

True

F

False

2. Jet streams are fast-flowing, narrow air currents found in the stratosphere.

T

True

F

False

1. Describe how differential heating of the Earth's surface leads to the formation of convection cells and global wind patterns.

2. Explain the role of the Coriolis effect in deflecting wind direction and how this differs in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Use the words below to complete the sentences.

Polar Easterlies
Westerlies
Hadley Cell
Jet Stream

1. The   are prevailing winds that blow from west to east in the mid-latitudes.

2. A fast-flowing, narrow, meandering air current in the atmosphere is known as a  .

3. The atmospheric circulation cell that extends from the equator to about 30 degrees latitude is called the  .