AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Global Wind Patterns
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What two key phenomena result from intense solar radiation and drive global wind patterns?
The two key phenomena are density differences in the atmosphere and the Coriolis effect.
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What two key phenomena result from intense solar radiation and drive global wind patterns?
The two key phenomena are density differences in the atmosphere and the Coriolis effect.
What is the primary cause of global wind patterns?
Global wind patterns primarily result from the most intense solar radiation arriving at the equator.
What is the collective term for the air movement patterns caused by density differences and the Coriolis effect?
These patterns are known as global wind patterns or atmospheric circulation.
If a specific region of the atmosphere is observed to have a significantly lower density than surrounding areas, what is the most probable environmental cause?
The most probable cause is that the region is receiving more intense solar radiation, causing the air to warm and become less dense.
Where on Earth does the process of forming global wind patterns begin, according to the provided text?
The process begins at the equator, where the most intense solar radiation arrives.
On a hypothetical planet, the most intense solar radiation is received at the poles. Where would large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns likely originate?
The circulation patterns would likely originate at the poles, as this is where the greatest density differences would be created by the intense solar radiation.
Identify the effect, besides density differences, that contributes to the formation of global wind patterns.
The Coriolis effect contributes to the formation of global wind patterns.
Summarize how environmental factors result in atmospheric circulation.
Environmental factors, specifically intense solar radiation at the equator, create density differences and the Coriolis effect, which together drive atmospheric circulation.
How does intense solar radiation at the equator initiate atmospheric circulation?
The intense solar radiation creates density differences in the air, which is a key factor in causing atmospheric circulation.
Explain the relationship between solar radiation and air density as it relates to wind.
Intense solar radiation heats air, making it less dense, while cooler air is more dense; this difference in density drives air movement.