Global Winds Web Quest
Hello Earth Scientists! Have you ever wondered what drives the winds that have allowed sailors to travel the globe for hundreds of
years? Have you ever wondered what creates the cool breeze you feel on a spring day? Or what generates the howling winds of a
hurricane?
Over the next two days, you will be completing an independent Web Quest to learn all about moving air, or wind. This worksheet
will guide you through a series of short readings, animations, and videos about wind and formation of global wind belts. Using your
textbook and internet resources, you will answer all questions and prompts (numbered on the worksheet) on a separate piece of
paper. All answers should be in complete sentences so they can be used as a reference later.
DAY 1: I will describe how wind forms. I will explain how the Coriolis Effect influences the path of winds.
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Watch “What Makes Wind?” Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D52rTzibFRc
Read Chapter 11-7: How Do Winds Form from the Purple Textbook
1. What is wind? What is wind caused by?
2. Air moves from regions of ________ pressure to regions of ________ pressure.
3. a) Where on Earth would you expect to find the warmest and least dense air? Why?
b) Where on Earth would you expect to find the coldest and densest air? Why?
Watch “Bill Nye on Wind” Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBqohRu2RRk
Read the Encyclopedic Entry- Coriolis Effect: http://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/coriolis-effect/
 What is the Coriolis Force? Why does this force occur?
 Explain, in detail, the effect this force has on the movement of wind.
Watch “Coriolis Effect” Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPs_OdQOYU
 Design and draw a diagram that demonstrates the Coriolis Effect. Label your diagram with an explanation of the
process.
Bonus: Watch “Coriolis Effect: IDTIMWYTIM” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdGtcZSFRLk
1. Does the Coriolis Effect influence the direction that toilets flush in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere? Why
or why not?
DAY 2: I will identify the major global wind patterns and describe how they form.
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Analyze the Global Air Circulation Animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye45DGkqUkE
 What drives global atmospheric circulation and wind patterns?
 a) What type of climate is common in regions where air is rising?
b) What type of climate is common is regions where air is sinking?
 What causes the major global wind belts on Earth to bend and curve?
Read pages 268-269 “The Big Idea: How Do Pressure Changes Create Global Winds”
 Briefly describe each of the following; a) trade winds, b) doldrums, c) prevailing westerlies, d) polar easterlies, e)
horse latitudes
Analyze “Earth: A global map of wind, weather, and ocean conditions”- https://earth.nullschool.net/
 The animation shows real time data collected about atmospheric and oceanic conditions.
 The first map shows global wind patterns at Earth’s surface.
1. How do the real-time winds patterns observed compare to general pattern on pages 268-269? Where do
you notice areas that are the same? Where do you notice areas that are different? How are they
different?
 Click on the “Earth” icon in the bottom left corner. Change the “Height” to 10 hPa. This shows wind patterns at the
top of troposphere (~26,000m above sea level). The global wind pattern is much more similar to the diagram on
pages 268-269.
1. Why is the variation in global wind patterns greater at the surface than near the top of the troposphere?
(hint: what other factors can come into play at the surface?)
 Find a partner. Have one iPad set to “Surface Winds”. Have the other iPad set to “Mode: Oceans  Animate:
Currents”.
1. Describe, in detail, the relationship between wind patterns and surface currents in the ocean.