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There is evidence that global climate change over the past 100 years has led to an increased warming of Earth because of the greenhouse effect. (i) Describe how the solar radiation that arrives at the equator is redistributed around the Earth through atmospheric circulation.

User Shivam Mathur
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Final answer:

Solar radiation at the equator is redistributed through atmospheric circulation, primarily through convection. The Hadley Cell is responsible for this process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The solar radiation that arrives at the equator is redistributed around the Earth through atmospheric circulation. This is primarily done through a process called convection. As the sun's rays hit the equator, the air near the surface gets heated up, becoming less dense and rising. This creates a low-pressure area near the equator, which pulls in cooler air from the higher latitudes.

This rising warm air moves towards the poles, gradually cooling down and sinking as it moves away from the equator. As it sinks, it creates areas of high pressure. This sinking air then flows back towards the equator in a circular motion on the surface, completing the circulation pattern. This is known as the Hadley Cell and is responsible for redistributing solar radiation from the equator to the higher latitudes.

User T N
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Solar system energy stored
User Narancs
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