Currents

Question 1

What is on each side of the equator?

Answer 1

cell

Question 2

Two cell names

Answer 2

Polar and Hadley

Question 3

Why do we have geostrophic wind?

Answer 3

Because we are a sphere

Question 4

Describe geostrophic wind

Answer 4

1. Air flows away from high pressure due to pressure gradient force
2. But the Coriolis force causes air to turn right (in northern, left in southern)
3. Until a balance is met between the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force
4. This balance produces a balanced flow called a geostrophic wind/ current nearly parallel to the isobars

Question 5

Hadley

Answer 5

Winds from NE to SW

Question 6

Atmospheric eddies

Answer 6

A front separates warm and cold air
The warm air is pushed onto the cold air, a low pressure system is created, the isobars are squeezed together, stronger pressure gradient force, stronger wind

Question 7

High pressure system eddie

Answer 7

clockwise

Question 8

Low pressure system Eddie

Answer 8

anti clockwise

Question 9

How does wind impact the ocean?

Answer 9

The large wind fields will transfer energy through friction into the ocean and therefore create surface currents
Due to ekmann transport icebergs will move to the right as they are at depth

Question 10

Sea surface height

Answer 10

Water will be pushed by the wind and create highs and lows in the ocean, this causes a 2/3m bump in the ocean

Question 11

Geostrophic currents

Answer 11

• Water flows away from high pressure due to pressure gradient
• the Coriolis force causes water to turn
• a balance is met
• balance produces a balancced flow

Question 12

Eddies

Answer 12

• Strong current meanders
• Amplitude increases
• A loop is formed
• And pinched off

Question 13

What causes the great ocean conveyor belt?

Answer 13

Surface currents and thermohaline circulation