11:670:101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Barometer, Quikscat, Pressure Gradient
11 May 2020
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Document Summary
Atmospheric pressure-amount of force exerted over an area of surface. Total mass of the air above any point. Pressure at surface much higher than up in atmosphere bc less air. One way to increase pressure is to add air into the column. Horizontal temperature differences drive horizontal pressure differences and wind. Warming/ cooling the surface temperatures with no changes in the mass means that the surface pressure is the same. Shorter column of cold air exerts same pressure as a taller warmer column. Near top of both air columns there is a pressure difference. Air will move from high to low pressure. Heating and cooling columns of air can establish horizontal variations in air pressure both aloft and at the surface. Move of force being pulled down to surface. Instrument error: mercury expands and cools with temp differences. Station pressure: barometer reading at a particular location and elevation after being corrected.
