Geography • World GeographyHard
With reference to the atmospheric circulation cells, what is the primary mechanism that drives air movement within the Ferrel cell located between 30 and 60 degrees latitude?
A. Thermal convection driven by intense solar heating at the mid-latitude surface
B. Direct radiative cooling of upper-level tropospheric air over continental interiors
C. Frictional drag and forced circulation between the adjacent Hadley and Polar cells✓ Correct Answer
D. Rotational centrifugal force acting on high-altitude jet stream cores
💡 Solution & Explanation
Unlike the Hadley and Polar cells which are driven by direct thermal convection and surface temperature gradients, the Ferrel cell is an indirect thermal circulation driven mechanically by the friction and interaction of the adjacent warm Hadley cell and cold Polar cell. Surface winds in the Ferrel cell form the prevailing westerlies. Atmospheric circulation balances global heat imbalances between the equator and poles.
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