Wind

Uneven Heating• Not all parts of the Earth are

heated evenly.

• The equator gets the most energy from the sun, the poles get the least.

• Air of different temperatures will mix. The mixing is wind.

Hottest

Coldest

Coldest

The Coriolis Effect• Movie 1. Movie 2

• The Coriolis effect is when air is swirled by the Earth rotating.

• Air moves counter clockwise North of the equator and clockwise South of the equator.

Toilets and Sinks• It is a myth that the

rotation of the Earth causes the swirl of sinks and toilets.

• Some claim toilets and drains below the equator swirl the opposite way. This is not true.

Remember

•Warm air rises

•Cold air falls

WetWet

WetWet

WetWetDryDry

DryDry

The Doldrums

•At the equator, the air goes straight up. Why?

•This is no good if you are sailing a boat. Why?

Types of Winds• Winds that blow along the surface

are called Surface Winds. (Trade winds, Westerlies, Easterlies)

• Winds that blow far above the surface of the Earth are called High Altitude Winds. (Jet Stream)

A Sea Breeze occurs when the water is

cooler than the land.

A Land Breeze occurs when the land is

cooler than the water.

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