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# What is Atmospheric Pressure? How is Wind Formed? ## Figure 1: How Atmospheric Pressure Works This diagram demonstrates how atmospheric pressure works. * **Atmospheric pressure:** The weight of air pressing down on all surfaces, acting in all directions. Measured using a barometer, with the un...

# What is Atmospheric Pressure? How is Wind Formed? ## Figure 1: How Atmospheric Pressure Works This diagram demonstrates how atmospheric pressure works. * **Atmospheric pressure:** The weight of air pressing down on all surfaces, acting in all directions. Measured using a barometer, with the unit of pressure being Pascal (Pa) in the International system. * **Torricelli's Experiment:** Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647) used Galileo Galilei's work to experiment with air pressure by using mercury and a glass tube. He filled a tube with mercury, covered the tube, and upside down in a dish containing mercury. He noticed the mercury dropped, but not completely. This was due to the air pressure holding some of the mercury in the tube. ## Figure 2: Atmospheric Pressure Demonstration This shows a simple demonstration: 1. Fill a glass with water and cover with a cardboard piece. 2. Turn the glass upside down while holding the cardboard tightly. 3. Remove your hand. 4. The water should not spill. Why does it not spill?: The atmospheric pressure is greater than the weight of the water in the glass. ## How Wind is Formed * **Uneven atmospheric pressure:** High-pressure zones (A) and low-pressure zones (B) exist on Earth. Air moves from high-pressure to low-pressure areas. * **Heating and Density:** Heated air becomes less dense and rises, creating a low-pressure zone. Cooler, denser air then flows into the low-pressure area, resulting in wind. * **Example:** The sun heats some areas of Earth's surface more than others. ## Additional Questions/Discussion Points * **How does the bubble experiment demonstrate wind formation?** * **What other factors contribute to wind besides heating/cooling?** * **Importance of understanding wind:** Discussion about sea breezes, everyday applications (sailing). **Additional Information from the Image**: Temperatures and directions are shown through diagrams and thermometers. There's a table that needs to be completed to discuss a conversation between Carol and Paul.