Final answer:
The jet stream is the correct answer to the question, as it consists of strong winds that move warm or cool air across the Earth's surface and influence the distribution of precipitation globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movements that move warm or cool air across the earth's surface and help to distribute precipitation around the globe are predominantly governed by wind systems. One of these systems is the Coriolis effect, which is not a wind system per se, but a phenomenon that affects the way wind systems operate.
The question is asking which factor is responsible for distributing precipitation around the globe, moving warm or cool air across the Earth's surface. The correct answer here would be option (a) Jet stream, as it includes bands of strong wind in the Earth's atmosphere that primarily move warm and cool air masses, influencing weather patterns and thereby the distribution of precipitation globally.
Thermal energy is involved as winds arise due to the movement of air in the atmosphere's attempt to equalize global temperatures. Additionally, the patterns of flow in both the atmosphere and the oceans are affected by the Earth's rotational movement, known as the Coriolis effect. Although the Coriolis effect influences the direction of wind flow, it in itself does not distribute precipitation. Therefore, the jet stream is the most accurate answer to the student's question.