Questions and Answers
What is wind?
The movement of air caused by differences in air pressure.
What is the Coriolis effect?
The apparent curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to the Earth's rotation.
What are polar easterlies?
Prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.
What are westerlies?
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What are trade winds?
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What is a jet stream?
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Why does warm air rise and cold air sink?
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What are pressure belts?
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What causes winds?
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How does the Coriolis effect affect wind movement?
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How are sea and land breezes similar to mountain and valley breezes?
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Would there be winds if the Earth's surface were the same temperature everywhere?
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In the Northern Hemisphere, why do westerlies flow from the west but trade winds flow from the east?
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How might a local wind help you find the ocean during the daytime?
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Study Notes
Wind and Air Movement
- Wind is the movement of air caused by differences in air pressure.
- Winds are influenced by the unequal heating of the Earth's surface, creating pressure differences.
Coriolis Effect
- The Coriolis effect results in the apparent curving of a moving object's path due to Earth's rotation.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes winds to curve to the right; in the Southern Hemisphere, winds curve to the left.
Types of Prevailing Winds
- Polar Easterlies: Winds blow from east to west between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.
- Westerlies: Prevailing winds from west to east between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude.
- Trade Winds: Blow northeast from 30 degrees north to the equator and southeast from 30 degrees south to the equator.
Jet Stream
- A jet stream is a narrow belt of strong winds located in the upper troposphere, influencing weather patterns.
Air Density and Movement
- Warm air rises because it is less dense, while cold air sinks as it is denser.
Pressure Belts
- Pressure belts are bands of high and low pressure found about every 30 degrees of latitude, affecting wind patterns.
Breeze Formation
- Sea and land breezes, as well as mountain and valley breezes, result from pressure differences due to unequal heating of surfaces.
Impact of Temperature Uniformity
- If the Earth's surface temperature were uniform, there would likely be no winds, as winds require temperature gradients to form.
Direction of Wind Flow
- In the Northern Hemisphere, westerlies travel in a northerly direction and are deflected northeast, while trade winds travel southerly and are deflected southwest due to the Coriolis effect.
Locating the Ocean with Local Winds
- During the daytime, a sea breeze occurs due to cooler air over water moving toward land; following the direction of the sea breeze can help reach the ocean.
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Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key concepts from Chapters 1 to 3 of Weather and Climate. Learn essential terms like wind, the Coriolis effect, and polar easterlies. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their understanding of atmospheric phenomena.