ENVIRSC 1A03 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Intertropical Convergence Zone, Hadley Cell, Atmospheric Circulation
25 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
The general circulation of the atmosphere refers to the average air flow. The basic cause of the general circulation is the unequal heating of the earth"s surface. The actual winds vary considerably and the average conditions may help identify the driving forces. As a general rule warm air is transferred from the tropics to the poles. While cool air is transferred to the poles to the tropics. The one cell model of circulation assumes that the earth is covered by a uniform water surface. Also assumes that the sun always his the equator directly and the sun does not rotate. The results is a huge thermal convection cell called the hadley cell. Three cell model of circulation allows earth to spin and produces three cell, with alternate belts of pressure and wind. It also implies that there are no land surfaces. These three cells are called; hadley cell, ferrel cell and polar cell.
