What term describes the winds that blow from East to West over the North and South poles?

• A. Polar Highs
• B. Polar Easterlies
• C. Trade Winds
• D. Westerlies

Answer: (B)

The term "polar easterlies" describes the winds that blow from east to west over the North and South poles. This name reflects the prevailing wind pattern in the polar regions, where cold air descending from the poles creates high-pressure systems. As the air moves away from these high-pressure areas, it is deflected to the right (in the Northern Hemisphere) or to the left (in the Southern Hemisphere) due to the Coriolis effect, resulting in winds that predominantly blow from the east.

The other options refer to different wind patterns or phenomena. For instance, "polar highs" refers to the areas of high pressure at the poles, but does not describe the wind direction. "Trade winds" are the steady winds that blow from east to west in the tropics, while "westerlies" are winds that blow from west to east in the mid-latitudes. Thus, the specificity of "polar easterlies" accurately captures the unique characteristics of winds in polar regions, making it the correct choice.