Theory 79/Planetary/Atmospheric circulation
Cells Scale With Rotation
The claim
The number and width of atmospheric circulation cells are set by the ratio of rotation rate to heating rate, so faster rotators have narrower cells.
01Mechanism
Rotation constrains the latitudinal extent of a cell; the ratio sets how many fit between equator and pole.
02Prediction
Cell width should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Cell width tracking planetary radius would remove rotation.