NATS 1750 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Pressure-Gradient Force, Pressure Gradient, Coriolis Force
30 Dec 2019
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Document Summary
Lecture 22: the earth"s major weather systems [chapter 19] Wind = the horizontal movement of air from one place to another. A gradient = how something changes with any sudden jumps. Pressure-gradient force = the relationship between wind and a gradient in air pressure. Pressure gradient map = a map showing the relationship between pressure gradient and wind speed. Isobars = contour lines that represent air pressure. A large pressure gradient and strong winds occur where the isobars are close together. Air molecules are subjected to the downward pull of gravity. The action of the downward-directed force of gravity on air molecules is balanced by the upward-directed pressure-gradient force. This balance can change, which results in air movement. The boundary layer = where friction significantly affects air movement. Pollution or low-level clouds can sometimes show where the top of the boundary layer lies. The boundary layer"s thickness depends on the roughness and temperature of the surface below.
