GGR100H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Coriolis Force, Humidity, Pressure-Gradient Force
Document Summary
Ocean and atmospheric currents: controls weather and distributes energy, moves from energy surplus at equator to replace deficit at the poles, in attempt to create a temperature equilibrium on earth. Why do air parcels move: pressure gradient- the difference in pressure between 2 locations, pressure flows from high to low pressure, this creates wind, the wind speed is proportional to the pressure gradient. Higher gradient=faster wind: air pressure decreases with altitude as air temperature decreases. Isobars are used to map pressure: measure in millibars (mb, banded isobars show gradual changes over a large area, closed cells show local high or low pressure areas o (like contour lines shown on maps) Atmospheric pressure: atmospheric stability, tendency of an air parcel to either. Sink (stable/conditionally unstable) i. ii. iii. i: depends on the temp of the parcel relative to surrounding environment, forces of buoyancy and gravity affect it (hot air is more buoyant)
