Solar heating and global air loops

In the picture

1. 1Rising warm air at the equator: solar heating lifts air and carries heat upward
2. 2Upper poleward flow: warm air moves from the equator toward higher latitudes
3. 3Sinking cooler air near 30° latitude: air descends after losing heat aloft
4. 4Surface return flow: air moves back toward the equator along the ground
5. 5Polar loop: a smaller circulation near the pole that moves heat farther poleward

Examples

• A room heated by a radiator: warm air rises near the radiator and cooler air settles across the room.
• A sea breeze: land heats faster than water, so air rises over land and cooler air flows inland from the sea.

Quiz: Solar heating and global air loops (Age 18)

1. 1

   According to the card, what mainly drives the large loops of rising and sinking air?

   • The movement of ocean currents
   • Earth’s rotation on its axis
   • The temperature difference caused by the equator receiving more solar heating than the poles
2. 2

   What does the card say happens to air warmed at the equator?

   • It rises and carries heat upward
   • It moves back toward the equator along the ground
   • It sinks near 30° latitude after losing heat aloft
3. 3

   What is the overall effect of these air loops on Earth’s surface temperature?

   • They increase the temperature difference between the equator and the poles
   • They reduce the temperature difference between low and high latitudes
   • They have little effect on the temperature difference between latitudes

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.