Air Pressure and Winds

This set of flashcards covers the key concepts regarding atmospheric pressure, wind dynamics, and global wind circulation as discussed in the lecture.

Atmospheric Pressure

The force exerted against a surface by the atmosphere, resulting from the weight of air above.

Pressure at Sea Level

1013.2 millibars, the standard atmospheric pressure measurement.

Typhoon

A hurricane occurring in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Barometer

An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.

Highest Pressure on Record

1084 millibars, recorded during the Siberian Winter of 1968.

Pressure Gradient Force

The amount of pressure change over a given distance, which drives wind.

Centripetal Force

A center-seeking force that directs wind in a curved path.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of air due to Earth's rotation, causing winds to shift to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hadley Cells

Convection cells established by warming air at the equator which rises and spreads as it moves toward the poles.

Global Wind Circulation

The large-scale movement of air that distributes thermal energy across the planet.