How Atmosphere And Oceans Maintain Global Energy Balance

Question 1

Cold currents

Answer 1

Eg the Labrador current current
Are more dense and sink while warm currents rise.
This creates a conveyor belt moving energy towards the poles

Question 2

Ocean Currents

Answer 2

In the Atlantic are moved by combination of prevailing winds and the deflection off significant land masses

Question 3

Atmospheric cells

Answer 3

Circulate air in the atmosphere
Warm air is less dense and rises at the equator before cooling and spreading to 30 degrees North and South where it sinks
Some of this warm air travels towards the poles as surface winds

Question 4

Air travels towards the poles as surface winds because

Answer 4

Occurs as air moves from areas of high pressure (30 degrees north and south) to areas of low pressure (60 degrees) - transfers energy from the equator towards the poles

Question 5

Where does the remainder of the air go?

Answer 5

Returns to the equator to be reheated
This completes the Hadley cell
Zone of divergence occurs here

Question 6

At 60 degrees

Answer 6

Warmer air travelling towards the equator meets cold air travelling across the surface of the earth
These two air masses converge and and rise up into the atmosphere

Question 7

Surplus energy

Answer 7

Is carried in the warmer air towards the poles where it sinks upon cooling, creating the polar cell
This cell is thermally direct

Question 8

Oceans and atmosphere move

Answer 8

Water from areas of surplus at the equator to areas of deficit at the poles