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Background: The Earths diversity in weather and climate are greatly affected by global wind
circulation patterns. Patterns of air circulation seen on Earth have four causative factors which
include the unequal heating of Earths surface, seasonal variation in temperatures, Earths axial
rotation, and Earths physical properties. The Coriolis effect causes the deflection of masses to
the west when going from the North Pole to the equator and also plays an important role in
global patterns of air circulation.
Purpose:
1) Inspect how the Earth rotates and how this varies at different locations on Earth.
2) Determine the effect of Earths rotation on wind current patterns.
3) Examine wind current patterns in mid-latitudinal areas between the Earths poles and equator.
4) Examine patterns of fluid convection seen on Earth.
5) Make representative storm systems that are resultant of Earths axis rotation.
Hypothesis:
1) If the globe spins west to east, then the globe will seem to spin counterclockwise from the
North Pole.
2) If a turntable is spun while a pen remains stationary, then the lines made will represent wind
currents produced.
3) I lines are drawn on the turntable while it spins counterclockwise, then those lines will convey
the wind current in the mid-latitudinal area of Earth.
4) If color dye is dropped into a circulating pan with water, then the pattern of colors that arises
represents convection currents.
5) If food coloring is placed into the turntable, then the arising model will show the patterns of
storm systems.
Procedures:
Activity 1: