Overview

As a high school or undergraduate Geography, Earth Sciences, or Physics teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to help you in teaching about heat transport in the atmosphere, atmospheric circulation, and the Hadley Cell and Hadley Circulation. Geography/Earth Sciences: The lesson plan also helps students to understand the effects of Hadley Circulation on global precipitation patterns, the geographical distribution of deserts, and trade winds. Physics: The lesson plan also helps students to apply the law of conservation of angular momentum and understand the concept of a thermally direct cell. Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Geography, Earth Sciences, or Physics.

Grade Level: High School, Undergraduate
Discipline: BGeography, Earth Sciences, Physics
Topics: Geography and Earth Sciences: Hadley Cell, Hadley Circulation, Heat Transport in the Atmosphere, Atmospheric Circulation, Global Precipitation Patterns, Geographical Distribution of Deserts, Coriolis Effect, Trade Winds, Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ); Physics: Hadley Cell, Hadley Circulation, Heat Transport in the Atmosphere, Thermally Direct Cell, Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum
Climate Topic: Climate and the Atmosphere
Location: Global
Languages: English
Access: Online
Duration: 80-100 min

Learning outcomes

The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:

• describe the Hadley Cell and Hadley Circulation (atmospheric circulation and heat transport)
• explain the influence of the Hadley Circulation on the geographical distribution of deserts and global precipitation patterns
• discuss the potential impact of climate change on Hadley Circulation
• discuss the possible effects of Hadley Cell expansion