Which one of the following factors is not connected with the planetar...
The general distribution of winds throughout the lower atmosphere is known as planetary winds. Confined within some latitudinal belts, these winds blow rather regularly throughout the year and are basically controlled by the latitudinal pressure belts.
The main planetary winds are (i) the North-east and the South-east Trade winds, (ii) the Temperate Westerlies and (iii) the Polar Easterlies, which blow from the polar high-pressure area to the temperate low-. Pressure area. All of them are affected by Coriolis force (Earth's rotation on its axis), and migration of pressure belts apart from how heat patterns vary across the Earth (creating pressure difference).
Which one of the following factors is not connected with the planetar...
One of the factors that is not connected with the planetary wind system is the migration of the pressure belts due to the apparent path of the Sun. Let's understand why this is the correct answer.
Explanation:
The planetary wind system is a global pattern of winds that circulate around the Earth. It is primarily driven by two main factors: the latitudinal variation of solar insolation and heating, and the Earth's rotation on its axis.
1. Latitudinal variation of solar insolation and heating:
Solar insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation received by the Earth's surface. It varies with latitude due to the curvature of the Earth and the tilt of its axis. The equatorial regions receive more direct sunlight and are therefore heated more, while the polar regions receive less direct sunlight and are colder.
This variation in heating creates temperature and pressure gradients, which in turn drive the movement of air masses. Warm air rises at the equator, creating a low-pressure zone, while cold air sinks at the poles, creating a high-pressure zone. The movement of air from high-pressure to low-pressure areas creates winds.
2. Earth's rotation on its axis:
The Earth's rotation on its axis causes a phenomenon known as the Coriolis effect. This effect deflects the path of moving objects, including air masses, to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Coriolis effect influences the direction of winds in the planetary wind system. In the Northern Hemisphere, winds are deflected to the right, resulting in the northeast trade winds near the equator and the prevailing westerlies in the mid-latitudes. In the Southern Hemisphere, winds are deflected to the left, leading to the southeast trade winds near the equator and the prevailing easterlies in the mid-latitudes.
3. Migration of the pressure belts due to the apparent path of the Sun:
The migration of the pressure belts is not directly connected with the planetary wind system. The pressure belts, such as the equatorial low-pressure belt (Intertropical Convergence Zone) and the subtropical high-pressure belts, do shift with the apparent path of the Sun throughout the year. This movement is responsible for the seasonal changes in weather patterns, such as the monsoon winds.
However, the migration of the pressure belts does not affect the overall global pattern of winds in the planetary wind system. The latitudinal variation of solar insolation and heating, as well as the Earth's rotation, are the primary drivers of the planetary wind system.
In conclusion, the migration of the pressure belts due to the apparent path of the Sun is not directly connected with the planetary wind system. The main factors that determine the global pattern of winds are the latitudinal variation of solar insolation and heating, as well as the Earth's rotation on its axis.