Download 6.E.2B.3 Notes - Global Winds and Convection Currents

Weather and Climate Part 2 Study Guide 1 of 4 (12/12 – 1/13)
Name __________________________________________ Date __________________ Unit Test on
Performance Indicator 6.E.2B.3 – Solar Energy & Convection
Develop and use models to represent how solar energy and convection impact Earth’s weather patterns
and climate conditions (including global winds, the jet stream, and ocean currents).
1. The driving energy source for heating of Earth is ____________________ energy. The rotation
of Earth on its ____________________ along with differences in the ____________________
of Earth impact weather patterns and climate conditions.
Convection Currents
2. What causes convection currents?
3. True or False. Global convection currents are set up in the atmosphere because of the Sun’s unequal
heating of Earth’s surfaces. Draw a picture of global convection currents in the space provided.
4. What are the three atmospheric convection areas that influence the climate regions on Earth?
5. The ____________________ begins at the equator and extends to about 30 degrees latitude.
6. The ____________________ extends from there to about 60 degrees latitude.
7. The ____________________ extends from there to the north pole, 90 degrees latitude.
Global Winds
8. True or False. Global winds occur in each of the climate regions and effect the direction of weather
systems on Earth.
9. ____________________ and ____________________ effect the direction of tropical
weather systems (hurricanes).
10. ____________________ are fast moving ribbons of air that move from west to east in the
Northern hemisphere.
11. True or False. The polar jet stream brings down cold polar conditions from the north.
Weather and Climate Part 2 Study Guide 1 of 4 (12/12 – 1/13)
Name __________________________________________ Date __________________ Unit Test on
12. ________________________________________ circulate warm and cold ocean waters in
convection patterns and influence the weather and climates of the landmasses nearby.
13. The ____________________ influences the eastern Atlantic shoreline of the United States by
bringing ____________________, ____________________ air. (including South Carolina
Coastal Cities ie. Charleston & Myrtle Beach)
14. The cold ____________________ current influences its western Pacific shoreline by bringing
____________________, ____________________ air.
15. What is the difference between the US east coast and west coast ocean surface currents?
16. What causes a cool breeze in the evening near an ocean?
17. Global wind belts occur between climate ____________________ because of the
characteristics of the convection currents in those regions. The prevailing direction of the global winds
in these large regions affects weather conditions. Three major climate zones (tropical, temperate, and
polar) are a result of these global systems.
18. The large winds that circle the Earth occur because the equator is ____________________
than the north and south poles.
19. Cold wind blows towards the ____________________.
Extended Knowledge:
 Earth’s winds move in a rotated pattern because of the rotation of Earth around its axis. This
phenomenon is called the ____________________ and is named after French engineer
Gaspard Coriolis who died in 1843.
 Each climate zone has identifying characteristics. Organisms in these regions have adaptions to
survive.
 Airplanes ride on jet streams to increase their ____________________ and decrease the
amount of ____________________ they use.
Weather and Climate Part 2 Study Guide 1 of 4 (12/12 – 1/13)
Name __________________________________________ Date __________________ Unit Test on
Performance Indicator 6.E.2B.3 – Solar Energy & Convection
Develop and use models to represent how solar energy and convection impact Earth’s weather patterns
and climate conditions (including global winds, the jet stream, and ocean currents).
1. The driving energy source for heating of Earth is solar energy. The rotation of Earth on its axis
along with differences in the heating of Earth impact weather patterns and climate conditions.
Convection Currents
2. What causes convection currents? Land absorbs heat energy and releases heat energy
quickly. Water absorbs heat energy and releases heat energy slowly. The differences in
these heating patterns cause convection currents.
3. True or False. Global convection currents are set up in the atmosphere because of the Sun’s
unequal heating of Earth’s surfaces. Draw a picture of global convection currents in the space
provided.
4. What are the three atmospheric convection areas that influence the climate regions on Earth?
Tropical region, Temperate Region, & Polar Region
5. The tropical region begins at the equator and extends to about 30 degrees latitude.
6. The temperate region extends from there to about 60 degrees latitude.
7. The polar region extends from there to the north pole, 90 degrees latitude.
Global Winds
8. True or False. Global winds occur in each of the climate regions and effect the direction of weather
systems on Earth.
9. Trade winds and westerlies effect the direction of tropical weather systems (hurricanes).
10. Jet streams are fast moving ribbons of air that move from west to east in the Northern
hemisphere.
11. True or False. The polar jet stream brings down cold polar conditions from the north.
12. Ocean surface currents circulate warm and cold ocean waters in convection patterns and
influence the weather and climates of the landmasses nearby.
13. The Gulf Stream influences the eastern Atlantic shoreline of the United States by bringing warm,
moist air. (including South Carolina Coastal Cities ie. Charleston & Myrtle Beach)
Weather and Climate Part 2 Study Guide 1 of 4 (12/12 – 1/13)
Name __________________________________________ Date __________________ Unit Test on
14. The cold California current influences its western Pacific shoreline by bringing cold, moist air.
15. What is the difference between the US east coast and west coast ocean surface currents? The
currents in the east bring warm, moist air & the currents in the west bring cold, moist air.
16. What causes a cool breeze in the evening near an ocean? During the day, the Sun heats the
ocean and the ocean stores this energy. During the evening the land cools and the ocean
transfers the energy back to the air. As a result you get a cool breeze.
17. Global wind belts occur between climate regions because of the characteristics of the convection
currents in those regions. The prevailing direction of the global winds in these large regions affects
weather conditions. Three major climate zones (tropical, temperate, and polar) are a result of these
global systems.
18. The large winds that circle the Earth occur because the equator is warmer than the north and
south poles.
19. Cold wind blows towards the sea.
Extended Knowledge:
 Earth’s winds move in a rotated pattern because of the rotation of Earth around its axis. This
phenomenon is called the Coriolis Effect and is named after French engineer Gaspard Coriolis
who died in 1843.
 Each climate zone has identifying characteristics. Organisms in these regions have adaptions to
survive.
 Airplanes ride on jet streams to increase their speed and decrease the amount of fuel they
use.