AOSC FINAL EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2026.
Coriolis Force - ANS A pattern of deflection as air travels around the globe that does not exist
at the equator. (i.e. at the equator it is at its minimum of zero and at the pole it is at maximum)
Gradient Wind - ANS The 3-way balance between PGF, Coriolis, and centrifugal forces.
Three cell model - ANS A model of global wind patterns that depicts three convection cells in
each hemisphere, bordered by alternating bands of high and low pressure.
Single Cell Model - ANS Air rises at equator, travels poleward aloft, sinks at the poles, then air
near the surface travels equatorward. DOES NOT EXPLAIN WESTERLIES
Hadley Cell - ANS A cell model that occurs in the tropics and is thermally direct (rising where
it is hot).
Rising motion at/near equator (low pressure) eventually hits max hight and starts to travel
poleward. Winds begin to increase poleward and air sinks near midlatitudes (high pressure) and
the flow is returned to the equator. TRADE WINDS/EASTERILIES
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Ferrel Cell - ANS Cell that moves air form 30 degrees to 60 degrees latitude. Thermally
indirect (i.e. rising where it is cool)
Air moves poleward near the surface and air then rises near 60 degrees N, 60 degrees S when it
converges with polar air then return flow equatorward aloft.
Polar Cell - ANS Cells of air circulation occurring between 60 degrees north and south and
each pole. Thermally direct (i.e. rising where it is warmer)
polar jet stream - ANS Move from east to west and is much stronger than subtropical jet
streams. Can deform and lead to severe weather in the U.S.
Ekman Transport - ANS The net motion of fluid as the result of a balance between Coriolis
and turbulent drag forces. Direction of this determines if there is upwelling or downwelling.
Upwelling - ANS The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of
diverging currents
Downwelling - ANS The movement of water from the surface to greater depths.
Air masses - ANS A large body of air whose temperature and humidity are the same in any
horizontal direction. Tends to take the characteristics of the region its located in.
Continental Arctic (cA) - ANS Extremely cold, dry, and stable. Ice and snow covered surface
formed over arctic.
Continental Polar (cP) - ANS Cold, dry, stable air mass formed poleward of 60 degrees
latitude.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2026.
Coriolis Force - ANS A pattern of deflection as air travels around the globe that does not exist
at the equator. (i.e. at the equator it is at its minimum of zero and at the pole it is at maximum)
Gradient Wind - ANS The 3-way balance between PGF, Coriolis, and centrifugal forces.
Three cell model - ANS A model of global wind patterns that depicts three convection cells in
each hemisphere, bordered by alternating bands of high and low pressure.
Single Cell Model - ANS Air rises at equator, travels poleward aloft, sinks at the poles, then air
near the surface travels equatorward. DOES NOT EXPLAIN WESTERLIES
Hadley Cell - ANS A cell model that occurs in the tropics and is thermally direct (rising where
it is hot).
Rising motion at/near equator (low pressure) eventually hits max hight and starts to travel
poleward. Winds begin to increase poleward and air sinks near midlatitudes (high pressure) and
the flow is returned to the equator. TRADE WINDS/EASTERILIES
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Ferrel Cell - ANS Cell that moves air form 30 degrees to 60 degrees latitude. Thermally
indirect (i.e. rising where it is cool)
Air moves poleward near the surface and air then rises near 60 degrees N, 60 degrees S when it
converges with polar air then return flow equatorward aloft.
Polar Cell - ANS Cells of air circulation occurring between 60 degrees north and south and
each pole. Thermally direct (i.e. rising where it is warmer)
polar jet stream - ANS Move from east to west and is much stronger than subtropical jet
streams. Can deform and lead to severe weather in the U.S.
Ekman Transport - ANS The net motion of fluid as the result of a balance between Coriolis
and turbulent drag forces. Direction of this determines if there is upwelling or downwelling.
Upwelling - ANS The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of
diverging currents
Downwelling - ANS The movement of water from the surface to greater depths.
Air masses - ANS A large body of air whose temperature and humidity are the same in any
horizontal direction. Tends to take the characteristics of the region its located in.
Continental Arctic (cA) - ANS Extremely cold, dry, and stable. Ice and snow covered surface
formed over arctic.
Continental Polar (cP) - ANS Cold, dry, stable air mass formed poleward of 60 degrees
latitude.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
