GEOG 2050 : Exam 3
Document Summary
Air pressure- created through the size, number, and motion of the molecules that constitute air. Pressure gradient force- drives air from the areas of higher barometric pressure to areas of lower barometric pressure, thus causing wind. Coriolis force- deflective force, makes wind that travels in a straight path appear to be deflected. Right in northern hemisphere and left in southern. Friction force- drags wind as it moves across the surface. Coriolis effect deflects anything that flies or flows across earths surface. Coriolis effect is zero along the equator, half deflection at 30 n and 30 s, full deflection flowing away from poles. Surface friction extends to height of 500 m. Four broad pressure areas : equatorial low-pressure trough, polar high pressure trough, subtropical high pressure cells, subpolar low pressure cells. Itcz- heavy rainfall and warm, 12 hours of direct daylight every day. Westerlies above tropic of cancer and below tropic of capricorn.
