1.3.1

Winds & Pressure

Test yourself

Winds and Pressure

Below are a few basics you need to understand before seeing the global atmospheric circulation model in full.

Illustrative background for What are winds?Illustrative background for What are winds? ?? "content

What are winds?

  • The wind is the movement of air on a large scale. The air is made up of gases.
Illustrative background for What causes winds?Illustrative background for What causes winds? ?? "content

What causes winds?

  • Differences in air pressure cause winds.
Illustrative background for What causes differences in air pressure?Illustrative background for What causes differences in air pressure? ?? "content

What causes differences in air pressure?

  • Like with convection currents, different temperatures cause movement.
  • The equator is warmer than the North Pole or the South Pole.
  • This difference causes different air pressures.
Illustrative background for How does air pressure affect winds?Illustrative background for How does air pressure affect winds? ?? "content

How does air pressure affect winds?

  • Winds move from high-pressure areas of the Earth to lower-pressure areas of the Earth.
Illustrative background for What are global atmospheric circulation cells?Illustrative background for What are global atmospheric circulation cells? ?? "content

What are global atmospheric circulation cells?

  • Winds combine to help create global atmospheric circulation cells.
  • Global atmospheric circulation cells are made up of:
    • Cool sinking air - forms high-pressure belts of wind.
    • Warm rising air - forms low-pressure belts of wind.
  • The Northern hemisphere has 3 global atmospheric circulation cells and the Southern hemisphere has 3 global atmospheric circulation cells.
    • These cells are called the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson