Answer: Convection cells in Earth's lower atmosphere occur because the Sun heats different surfaces of the Earth unevenly, which causes hot air to rise and cool air to sink. This creates convection currents in the atmosphere, which form convection cells. The Earth's rotation causes moving air to deflect, which also contributes to the formation of these cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Convection cells in Earth's lower atmosphere occur due to the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the Sun. The Sun heats the Earth's surface, but different surfaces absorb different amounts of solar energy and heat at different rates. For example, land surfaces heat up faster than water surfaces. This uneven heating causes hot air to rise from the warmer surfaces and cool air to sink from the cooler surfaces.
This process creates convection currents in the atmosphere, where the rising hot air creates low-pressure zones and the sinking cool air creates high-pressure zones. The air moves from high-pressure zones to low-pressure zones, forming convection cells. These cells are visible in the form of clouds and wind patterns.
The Coriolis effect, which is caused by the Earth's rotation, also plays a role in the formation of convection cells. The Coriolis effect causes moving air to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection causes the air to move in a circular motion, which contributes to the formation of convection cells.
In summary, convection cells in Earth's lower atmosphere occur due to the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the Sun, which creates convection currents in the atmosphere. The Coriolis effect also plays a role in the formation of these cells.