OTHER TOPICS -----> Intro/Maps Atmosphere Climate / Hydrosphere
Biosphere / Soils Tectonics Specific Environments

ATMOSPHERE CHAPTERS -----> Atmosphere Temp/Energy Pressure/Wind Moisture Storms

Pressure and Wind

I. AIR PRESSURE

A. Temperature, Pressure and Density Related

  1. omnidirectional (video)
  2. mostly down due to gravity
B. Instruments and Mapping
  1. barometer
  2. altimeter
  3. anemometer: propeller and cup styles
  4. wind vane/ weather vane ... decorative ... .... extreme example?
  5. combined: cup + vane ... ... or a windsock (windsock video)
  6. windward vs. leeward
II. WIND

A. Pressure Differences = Pressure Gradient

  1. caused by differences in temperature / density
  2. air moves from high pressure to low pressure
  3. greater diff. in pressure = stronger gradient
B. Coriolis Effect (video demo) (video animation)
*Another movie example
  1. due to rotation of the earth
  2. deflection to right in northern hemisphere
  3. faster wind speed = greater deflection
  4. closer to pole = greater deflection
  5. spin imparted to the air
  6. *geostrophic wind
C. Friction
  1. reduces wind speed which reduces Coriolis
  2. causes "pinwheel", or spiral, rotation
III. GENERAL CIRCULATION PATTERNS

A. Global Pressure ... relationship to global wind patterns

  1. intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)
  2. trade winds (steers hurricanes)
  3. subtropical high
  4. westerlies
  5. monsoon
  6. ocean currents
B. Local Winds
  1. sea / land breeze (onshore / offshore)
  2. valley / mountain breeze
  3. katabatic (gravity) winds
  4. chinook (föehn) winds


ATMOSPHERE CHAPTERS -----> Atmosphere Temp/Energy Pressure/Wind Moisture Storms