Local and Global Winds

Front

What causes air to move?

Back

Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

Front

What are prevailing westerlies?

Back

Prevailing westerlies are winds that flow from west to east.

Front

How does cold air compare to warm air?

Back

Cold air is more dense and has more pressure than warm air.

Front

What is the jet stream?

Back

The jet stream is a narrow band of high-speed winds near the top of the troposphere.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The Coriolis effect causes global winds to move in a curved path instead of a straight line.

Front

What is the difference between local winds and global winds?

Back

Local winds are winds that blow over short distances, while global winds blow over long distances.

Front

What are trade winds?

Back

Trade winds are steady winds that flow from east to west in the tropics.

Front

What role does the sun play in wind patterns?

Back

The sun heats the Earth's surface unevenly, creating differences in air pressure that drive wind patterns.

Front

What is atmospheric pressure?

Back

Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air above a given point.

Front

How do temperature differences affect wind?

Back

Temperature differences create pressure differences, which cause air to move and generate wind.