wind

Question 1

describe wind

Answer 1

-result of horizontal differences in air pressure. air flows from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure
-solar radiation is the ultimate energy source for most wind

Question 2

wind is controlled by 3 factors. what are they?

Answer 2

pressure gradient force, coriolis effect, and friction

Question 3

what is pressure gradient force?

Answer 3

-when air is subjected to greater pressure on one side than on another, the imbalance
-produces a force that is directed from the region of higher pressure toward the area of lower pressure

Question 4

what is friction?

Answer 4

friction lowers the wind speed and reduces the coriolis effect

Question 5

what is the coriolis effect?

Answer 5

because the earth rotates on its axis, circulating air is deflected toward the right in the northern hemisphere and toward the left in the southern hemisphere

Question 6

what are isobars?

Answer 6

lines connecting places of equal air pressure

Question 7

what happens when isobars are spaced apart?

Answer 7

spacing isobars indicates the amount of pressure change occurring over a given distance - called the pressure gradient

Question 8

what happens when isobars are spaced close together?

Answer 8

closely spaced isobars indicate a strong pressure gradient and high wind speeds, whereas widely spaced isobars indicate a weak pressure gradient and low wind speeds