Trade winds
Interactive
Simulation:
The air circulation between the equator and the tropics is characterized by the trade winds.
Type of media:
Interactive (577.6 kByte)
Last update:
2021-06-25
License:
This medium is made available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 international license.
What does this mean?
How to reference this medium
This medium is made available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 international license.
What does this mean?
How to reference this medium
Media package:
Description:
Trade winds are identified as the easterly winds north and south of the equator. They are the reason for the heavy rainfall at the equator.
A graphic that can be developed interactively step by step shows the air movements that take place between the equator and the tropics.
Information and ideas:
The easterly direction of the trade winds results from the Earth’s rotation and the associated Coriolis force. This provides links to physics class.
The trade wind cycle operates only where land masses of approximately the same size are located on both sides of the equator: in South America and Africa. In contrast, in Asia the monsoons are responsible for the heavy rainfall. Unlike the trade winds, monsoons can change direction. The students should investigate the connection between trade winds and monsoons as well as the major differences.
A graphic that can be developed interactively step by step shows the air movements that take place between the equator and the tropics.
Information and ideas:
The easterly direction of the trade winds results from the Earth’s rotation and the associated Coriolis force. This provides links to physics class.
The trade wind cycle operates only where land masses of approximately the same size are located on both sides of the equator: in South America and Africa. In contrast, in Asia the monsoons are responsible for the heavy rainfall. Unlike the trade winds, monsoons can change direction. The students should investigate the connection between trade winds and monsoons as well as the major differences.
Related media:
There are no other media directly related to this file.
Learning resource type:
Information sheet
Subjects:
Geography
Grade levels:
Grade 7 to 9; Grade 10 to 13
School types:
Middle/high school
Keywords:
Air pressure; Rainforest; Weather; Wind
Bibliography:
Siemens Stiftung Media Portal
Author:
MediaHouse GmbH using the following sources: Dr. Tom Deutschle and www.klima-der-erde.de (Matthias Forkel)
Rights holder:
© Siemens Stiftung 2016