Which atmospheric circulation cell lies closest to the equator in each hemisphere, with rising air near the equator and sinking at about 30 degrees latitude?

Which atmospheric circulation cell lies closest to the equator in each hemisphere, with rising air near the equator and sinking at about 30 degrees latitude?

• A. Ferrel Cell
• B. Hadley Cell
• C. Polar Cell
• D. Trade Wind Cell

Answer: (B)

Rising air near the equator and sinking around 30 degrees latitude describes a Hadley cell. Intense heating at the equator causes air to rise, creating a low-pressure region and widespread convection. As this air moves poleward aloft, it cools, sinks around roughly 30° latitude, and creates subtropical highs. Surface air then flows back toward the equator as the trade winds, completing the circulation loop in each hemisphere. The other cells sit farther from the equator: Ferrel cells occupy mid-latitudes (~30–60°) with surface winds toward the mid-latitudes and rising air nearer 60°, Polar cells near the poles with rising air around 60° and sinking near the pole. A separate “Trade Wind Cell” isn’t a standard term for a distinct cell—the trade winds arise from the Hadley cell’s surface return flow.

Rising air near the equator and sinking around 30 degrees latitude describes a Hadley cell. Intense heating at the equator causes air to rise, creating a low-pressure region and widespread convection. As this air moves poleward aloft, it cools, sinks around roughly 30° latitude, and creates subtropical highs. Surface air then flows back toward the equator as the trade winds, completing the circulation loop in each hemisphere. The other cells sit farther from the equator: Ferrel cells occupy mid-latitudes (~30–60°) with surface winds toward the mid-latitudes and rising air nearer 60°, Polar cells near the poles with rising air around 60° and sinking near the pole. A separate “Trade Wind Cell” isn’t a standard term for a distinct cell—the trade winds arise from the Hadley cell’s surface return flow.