global pressure and winds

Question 1

atmospheric pressure

Answer 1

weight of the air at any point

Question 2

what is pressure measured with

Answer 2

a barometer
expressed in millibars (mb)

Question 3

isobars

Answer 3

lines drawn between plotted pressure points on a synoptic chart. they join lines of equal pressure

Question 4

pressure gradient

Answer 4

change in pressure across a given distance

Question 5

wind speed

Answer 5

influenced by friction (lowest 1000m of air)
this slowing depends on the surface below eg sea = faster, rough land terrain = slower

Question 6

Coriolis force

Answer 6

once air has been set in motion by the pressure gradient force, it undergoes an apparent deflection from its path, as seen by an observer on earth. this apparent deflection is called the Coriolis force

Question 7

key facts of the Coriolis force

Answer 7

1. it only influence direction and not wind speed
2. its influence gets stronger with distance from equator
3. in the NH it causes winds to be deflected to the right of their experience path from high to low pressure, and the left in the SH

Question 8

see diagram

Answer 8

see diagram

Question 9

winds blow from xxxx to xxxx

Answer 9

winds blow from high to low