Multiple choice

Trade winds are due to

  1. conduction

  2. convection

  3. radiation

  4. scattering
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Trade winds are caused by convection currents in the atmosphere. The differential heating between the equator and poles creates convection cells (Hadley cells) where warm air rises at the equator and cooler air descends in the subtropics. The rotation of the Earth (Coriolis effect) deflects these winds, creating the persistent trade wind patterns. Conduction, radiation, and scattering are not the primary mechanisms driving these winds.

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