ESS Chapter 19 Air Pressure and Wind

Front

What is the subtropical high pressure zone?

Back

The subtropical high pressure zone is a region of high atmospheric pressure located around 30 degrees latitude in both hemispheres, characterized by descending air that leads to dry and stable conditions, often associated with deserts like the Sahara and Australian deserts.

Front

What does a barometer measure?

Back

A barometer is a tool that measures air pressure, helping to predict weather changes.

Front

Who invented the mercurial barometer?

Back

The mercurial barometer was invented by Evangelista Torricelli in the 17th century.

Front

What is the standard sea level pressure in millibars and inches of mercury?

Back

The standard sea level pressure is 1013 millibars and 29.92 inches of mercury.

Front

What is a land breeze?

Back

A land breeze is a type of breeze that occurs at night when cooler air from the land moves towards the sea, typically forming when the land cools faster than the water.

Front

What is a sea breeze?

Back

A sea breeze is a cool breeze that blows from the sea to the land during the day, caused by the differential heating of land and water.

Front

Define air pressure.

Back

Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air above a given point, typically measured in millibars or inches of mercury.

Front

What is the relationship between altitude and air pressure?

Back

As altitude increases, air pressure decreases because there is less air above a given point.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The Coriolis effect is the deflection of moving objects, such as winds, caused by the rotation of the Earth, resulting in winds curving to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Front

What is the difference between high pressure and low pressure systems?

Back

High pressure systems are associated with clear skies and calm weather, while low pressure systems are linked to clouds and precipitation.