AP Environmental Science Quiz: Global Wind Patterns

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Global Wind Patterns, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

Question 1

1. Westerlies
2. Polar easterlies (correct answer)
3. Southeast trade winds
4. Horse latitudes

Explanation: At 75°S, the location falls within the polar wind belt, which extends from about 60° to 90° latitude. In this region, surface air flows from the polar high toward the subpolar low at 60°. The Coriolis effect deflects this equatorward-moving air to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, creating winds that blow from east to west. These are called the polar easterlies because they blow from the east, and they represent the surface component of the Polar cell circulation.

Question 2

1. From northeast to southwest (polar easterlies) (correct answer)
2. From southwest to northeast (westerlies)
3. From northwest to southeast (trade winds)
4. From southeast to northwest (westerlies)

Explanation: In the polar regions, high pressure exists due to cold, dense air that sinks at the poles. This creates surface divergence, with air flowing outward from the poles toward lower latitudes, specifically toward the subpolar low near 60°. In the Northern Hemisphere, this poleward-to-equatorward flow is deflected to the right by the Coriolis effect, creating winds that blow from northeast to southwest. These are called the polar easterlies because they blow from the east (northeast).

Question 3

1. The Coriolis effect deflects moving air due to Earth's rotation (correct answer)
2. Ocean tides pull winds sideways
3. Mountains at $20^\circ$ force winds to curve globally
4. Air always moves in spirals regardless of rotation

Explanation: Global wind patterns show that trade winds at 20°N and 20°S blow toward the equator but curve due to the Coriolis effect rather than flowing straight north-south. The Coriolis effect is caused by Earth's rotation, which creates apparent deflection of moving objects relative to Earth's surface. In the Northern Hemisphere, moving air is deflected to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it's deflected to the left. This deflection prevents winds from flowing directly from high to low pressure and creates the curved wind patterns observed in global circulation.

Question 4

1. From northeast to southwest (northeast trade winds) (correct answer)
2. From southwest to northeast (westerlies)
3. From southeast to northwest (southeast trade winds)
4. From northwest to southeast (polar easterlies)

Explanation: Global circulation creates pressure belts where air rises at the equator and sinks at 30° latitude, forming the Hadley cell. Surface air flows from the subtropical high (30°N) toward the equatorial low (ITCZ), moving generally southward. The Coriolis effect deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, so this southward-moving air is deflected westward, creating winds that blow from northeast to southwest. These are called the northeast trade winds because they blow from the northeast direction toward the southwest.

Question 5

1. Trade winds; they blow toward the equator
2. Westerlies; they generally blow from the southwest in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes (correct answer)
3. Polar easterlies; they blow from the southwest near the poles
4. Doldrums; they create steady southwest winds

Explanation: At 55°N, the location falls within the Northern Hemisphere westerly wind belt (30°-60°N). The westerlies result from surface air flowing from the subtropical high toward the subpolar low as part of the Ferrel cell circulation. The Coriolis effect deflects this poleward-moving air to the right, creating winds that generally blow from the southwest in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes. Southwest winds are characteristic of the westerlies because they represent the southwest-to-northeast flow pattern created by Coriolis deflection of the pressure-gradient-driven poleward flow.

Question 6

1. It features rising air at the equator and sinking air at $30^\circ$
2. It features sinking air at $60^\circ$ and rising air at $30^\circ$
3. It lies between $30^\circ$ and $60^\circ$ and is associated with surface westerlies (correct answer)
4. It lies between $0^\circ$ and $30^\circ$ and is associated with surface easterlies

Explanation: The Ferrel cell is the middle circulation cell that exists between 30° and 60° latitude in each hemisphere. Unlike the thermally direct Hadley and Polar cells, the Ferrel cell is thermally indirect and driven by the interaction between its neighboring cells. The Ferrel cell is associated with surface westerlies because air flows poleward from 30° to 60° and is deflected by the Coriolis effect. The Hadley cell, in contrast, spans 0° to 30° and features rising air at the equator and sinking air at 30°, driving the trade winds.

Question 7

1. Near $0^\circ$ (equator/ITCZ) (correct answer)
2. Near $30^\circ$ (subtropical highs)
3. Near $60^\circ$ (polar front)
4. Near $90^\circ$ (polar highs)

Explanation: The doldrums refer to a zone of weak, variable surface winds near the equator where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge. This occurs at the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) near 0° latitude, where intense solar heating causes strong upward motion of air. The rising air creates low pressure and frequent convection, leading to thunderstorms and precipitation, but the strong vertical motion results in weak horizontal surface winds, creating the calm conditions known as the doldrums.

Question 8

1. Southern Hemisphere westerlies
2. Southeast trade winds (correct answer)
3. Polar easterlies
4. Subpolar low calm zone

Explanation: At $10^\circ$ S, the location falls within the Southern Hemisphere trade wind belt. Surface air flows from the subtropical high near $30^\circ$ S toward the equatorial low (ITCZ). This northward-moving air is deflected to the left by the Coriolis effect in the Southern Hemisphere, creating winds that blow from the southeast toward the northwest. These are called the southeast trade winds, and a ship experiencing steady winds from the southeast would be sailing within this wind belt.

Question 9

1. Subtropical high near $30^\circ$
2. Subpolar low near $60^\circ$ (correct answer)
3. Polar high near $90^\circ$
4. Tropical high at the equator

Explanation: The subpolar low near 60° latitude is created where warm air from the mid-latitudes meets cold air from the polar regions along the polar front. This temperature contrast causes air to rise, creating persistent low pressure. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes surface winds around low-pressure systems to rotate counterclockwise. The subpolar low is associated with frequent storm formation and the passage of cyclonic weather systems, making it the global pressure belt most linked to low-pressure systems and storm tracks.

Question 10

1. Hadley cell
2. Ferrel cell (correct answer)
3. Polar cell
4. ITCZ cell

Explanation: The three-cell model shows the Ferrel cell as the middle circulation cell between 30° and 60° latitude in each hemisphere. The Ferrel cell is characterized by surface winds moving poleward from the subtropical high (30°) to the subpolar low (60°), then returning equatorward at altitude. This creates the surface westerlies that dominate mid-latitude weather patterns. The Ferrel cell is thermally indirect, driven by the interaction between the adjacent Hadley and Polar cells rather than direct thermal forcing like the other two cells.

Question 11

1. Westerlies (correct answer)
2. Northeast trade winds
3. Polar easterlies
4. Equatorial doldrums

Explanation: In the mid-latitudes between 30° and 60°, surface air flows from the subtropical high toward the subpolar low as part of the Ferrel cell circulation. This poleward-moving air is deflected by the Coriolis effect - to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection creates the westerlies, which blow generally from west to east and dominate weather patterns in the mid-latitudes, bringing storms and weather systems from west to east across continents.

Question 12

1. Near $0^\circ$
2. Near $30^\circ$ (correct answer)
3. Near $60^\circ$
4. Near $45^\circ$

Explanation: The idealized three-cell model shows that descending air most commonly occurs near 30° latitude, where the Hadley cell creates subtropical high pressure belts. Air that rises at the equator moves poleward at altitude and descends near 30°, warming and compressing as it sinks. This descending motion suppresses cloud formation and precipitation because sinking air becomes warmer and can hold more moisture without condensation. This is why many of the world's major deserts are located near 30° latitude in both hemispheres.

Question 13

1. Subpolar lows near $60^\circ$
2. Polar highs near $90^\circ$
3. Subtropical highs near $30^\circ$ (correct answer)
4. Equatorial low pressure at $0^\circ$

Explanation: In the Hadley cell circulation, warm air rises at the equator (ITCZ) due to intense solar heating, creating low pressure at the surface. This air flows poleward at high altitude and cools as it moves away from the equator. Around 30° latitude, this now-cooler air has lost much of its moisture through precipitation and begins to sink due to increased density. As this air descends, it compresses and warms adiabatically, creating zones of high pressure at the surface known as subtropical highs. These subtropical high-pressure belts at approximately 30°N and 30°S are characterized by clear skies, low precipitation, and are home to many of the world's major deserts. The sinking air at 30° latitude directly creates these subtropical high-pressure zones.

Question 14

1. Rising at $0^\circ$, sinking at $30^\circ$, rising at $60^\circ$, sinking at $90^\circ$ (correct answer)
2. Sinking at $0^\circ$, rising at $30^\circ$, sinking at $60^\circ$, rising at $90^\circ$
3. Rising at $0^\circ$, rising at $30^\circ$, sinking at $60^\circ$, sinking at $90^\circ$
4. Sinking at $0^\circ$, sinking at $30^\circ$, rising at $60^\circ$, rising at $90^\circ$

Explanation: The idealized three-cell model shows alternating patterns of rising and sinking air from equator to pole. At 0° (equator), intense solar heating causes air to rise. At 30°, this air sinks as part of the Hadley cell. At 60°, air rises again where warm mid-latitude air meets cold polar air (polar front). At 90° (poles), cold dense air sinks due to radiative cooling. This creates the sequence: rising at 0°, sinking at 30°, rising at 60°, sinking at 90°.

Question 15

1. Southern Hemisphere westerlies (correct answer)
2. Southeast trade winds
3. Polar easterlies
4. Northeast trade winds

Explanation: The global circulation diagram shows surface winds in the Southern Hemisphere mid-latitudes (30°-60°S) blowing from northwest to southeast. These are the Southern Hemisphere westerlies, which result from surface air flowing from the subtropical high toward the subpolar low. The Coriolis effect in the Southern Hemisphere deflects this poleward-moving air to the left, creating winds that blow from the northwest. These westerlies are particularly strong over the Southern Ocean due to the lack of large landmasses to disrupt the flow.

Question 16

1. ITCZ
2. Subtropical ridge
3. Polar front near $60^\circ$ (correct answer)
4. Horse latitude boundary near $30^\circ$

Explanation: The polar front near 60° latitude marks the boundary where warm mid-latitude air meets cold polar air. This temperature contrast creates instability and rising motion, leading to the formation of cyclonic storms (cyclogenesis). The polar front is associated with the subpolar low pressure belt and represents the meeting point between the westerlies (from the south) and polar easterlies (from the north). This boundary is a major zone of storm formation and weather system development in both hemispheres.

Question 17

1. Frequent precipitation and dense tropical rainforests
2. Dry conditions and many of the world's major deserts (correct answer)
3. Persistent low pressure and strong cyclonic storms year-round
4. Permanent ice sheets and very low solar input

Explanation: Subtropical high pressure belts form near 30° latitude where air descends as part of the Hadley cell circulation. Descending air warms and compresses, creating high pressure at the surface and generally clear, dry conditions. This subsidence suppresses cloud formation and precipitation, making these regions ideal for desert formation. Many of the world's major hot deserts, including the Sahara, Sonoran, and Australian deserts, are located in these subtropical high pressure zones around 30° latitude.

Question 18

1. From northwest to southeast
2. From northeast to southwest (correct answer)
3. From southwest to northeast
4. From southeast to northwest

Explanation: The Hadley cell drives surface air movement from the subtropical highs near 30° toward the equatorial low pressure (ITCZ). In the Northern Hemisphere, this southward-moving air is deflected to the right by the Coriolis effect, creating the northeast trade winds that blow from northeast to southwest. These winds were historically important for sailing ships traveling westward across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, giving them the name "trade winds" because they facilitated maritime trade routes.

Question 19

1. Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect) (correct answer)
2. Friction with the ocean surface
3. Uneven distribution of continents
4. The tilt of Earth's axis

Explanation: Between 0° and 30° in the Northern Hemisphere, surface winds are the northeast trade winds that blow from northeast to southwest. These winds result from air flowing from the subtropical high toward the equatorial low, with the Coriolis effect deflecting the southward-moving air to the right. Earth's rotation creates the Coriolis effect, which is the primary reason winds are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. This deflection is what prevents winds from flowing directly north-south and creates the characteristic northeast-to-southwest flow pattern.

Question 20

1. Deflects to the left; southeast trade winds (correct answer)
2. Deflects to the right; southeast trade winds
3. Deflects to the left; northeast trade winds
4. Deflects to the right; westerlies

Explanation: In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect deflects moving air to the left of its motion direction. Surface air moving from the subtropical high near 30°S toward the equator initially flows northward. The leftward Coriolis deflection turns this northward flow toward the west, creating winds that blow from the southeast toward the northwest. These are called the southeast trade winds, which are the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of the northeast trade winds in the Northern Hemisphere.