Eduqas A-Level Geography A110QS
Coastal LandscapesLandscape
Glaciated LandscapesLandscape
Changing Places
Water and Carbon Cycles
Global Migration
Global Governance of the Oceans
Tectonic Hazards
EcosystemsContemporary theme
Economic Growth and Challenge: IndiaContemporary theme
Economic Growth and Challenge: ChinaContemporary theme
Development in an African ContextContemporary theme
Energy Challenges and DilemmasContemporary theme
Weather and ClimateContemporary theme
Geographical Skills
Weather and Climate
Pressure belts and planetary surface winds
- 3 things to know
- Component 3 Section B
Overview
Global pressure belts from the equator to the pole, pressure gradient and coriolis effect.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Define a pressure gradient.
In which direction does air move between pressure belts at the surface?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Name the global pressure belts from the equator to the pole.
Model answer
The belts run from the equatorial low to the subtropical high at about 30°. The sub-polar low at about 60° and the polar high complete the sequence.
- 2
Define a pressure gradient.
Model answer
A pressure gradient is the change in atmospheric pressure over distance. A steep gradient produces strong winds and a gentle gradient light winds.
- 3
In which direction does air move between pressure belts at the surface?
Model answer
Air moves from high pressure to low pressure at the surface. The movement is then deflected by the Coriolis effect.
- 4
What is the Coriolis effect?
Model answer
The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving air caused by the Earth's rotation. Deflection is to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern.
- 5
Where is the Coriolis effect strongest and where is it absent?
Model answer
The Coriolis effect is strongest at the poles. The effect is zero at the equator, which is why tropical cyclones cannot form there.
- 6
Name and describe the trade winds.
Model answer
The trade winds blow from the subtropical highs towards the equatorial low. The flow arrives from the north-east in the northern hemisphere and the south-east in the southern.
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