GEOG 131 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Pressure-Gradient Force, Cool Air, Atmospheric Pressure
Document Summary
L: low pressure area: air rises. Winds measured with an anemometer > speed and direction km/hr. Cool air has a higher density so it sinks: causes high pressure at surface. Warm air has a lower density so it rises: causes low pressure at surface. Pgf (pressure gradient force: the greater the pgf, the faster the wind, the smaller the pgf, the slower the wind. Ction slows surface winds: results in faster winds aloft. Coriolis effect: named after gaspard-gustave de coriolis, in uences weather patterns, ocean currents, and how air travels, appear to move at a curve instead of a straight line. Different parts of earth move at different speeds: earth rotates once in 24 hours. At the poles, speed is approximately . 00005mph. At the equator, speed is approximately 1040 mph: move away from the equator and get more spin. Air turns right in the northern hemisphere. Air turns left in the southern hemisphere.
