EXPECTATION - Describe the relationship between the warming of the atmosphere of the Earth by the Sun and convection within the atmosphere and the oceans which produces winds and currents.

Wind

• The movement of air horizontally across the Earth’s surface.

• Caused by differences in air pressure.

• The air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

• The greater the difference in pressure, the stronger the wind.

Unequal heating of the Earth’s

surface……causes differences in air pressure.

Air pressure differences can be caused by these differences in air temperature.

As warm air rises and cool air moves in along the surface to take it’s place wind is created.

Wind & Air Currents

With unequal heating of the air, warm air rises and cool air sinks.

This creates convection currents.

Convection Current

The creation of wind can happen on a small scale or a large scale.

•Small scale “Local Winds”– Changes direction

•Large scale “Global Winds”– Constant direction

Local winds

Sea Breeze

Land Breeze

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1903/es1903page01.cfm

Local Wind Animations

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1903/es1903page01.cfm

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/oceans_weather_climate/media/sea_and_land_breeze.swf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0d3fGew-0&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

http://bborucki.com/weather.html

Global Winds

Warm air rises at the equator and cooler air moves in to take its place.

Global Wind Animations

• http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/tbw/wc.notes/7.circ.atm/animations/GlobalWind.html

• http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/eBridge/Chp29/animations/ch29/global_wind_circulation.swf

• Link to Local & Global Winds PowerPoint