Air Pressure & Wind
What is air pressure?
The force of air pushing down on Earth’s surface
What causes winds to curve instead of moving in a straight line?
Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect)
What is an air mass?
A large body of air with similar temperature and humidity.
What type of storm forms over warm ocean water and produces strong winds and heavy rain?
Tropical cyclone
What causes seasons on Earth?
Earth’s tilt on its axis
What happens to air when it is heated?
It rises because it becomes less dense
In which direction do winds curve in the Northern Hemisphere? (To the right or the left)
To the right (Counterclockwise)
What type of air mass forms over land and is dry and cold?
Continental Polar air mass
What provides the main energy source for hurricanes?
Warm ocean water
What season occurs when a hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun?
Summer
How is wind created?
Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
In which direction do winds curve in the Southern Hemisphere? (To the right or the left)
To the left (Clockwise)
What type of front forms when cold air pushes warm air?
Cold front
What happens to a hurricane when it makes landfall? (Strengthens or Weakens)
It weakens because it loses its energy source
What season occurs when a hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun?
Winter
What term describes the amount of water vapor in the air?
Humidity
Why do global wind patterns exist on Earth?
Uneven heating of Earth creates differences in air pressure
What type of front forms when warm air slowly rises over cold air?
Warm front
What is a hurricane called when it forms in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean?
Typhoon
What is the name of the time of year when day and night are nearly equal in length?
Equinox
Why does warm air usually create low pressure at Earth’s surface?
Warm air rises, reducing air pressure at the surface
What happens to wind speed when the difference in air pressure increases? (Super High Pressure and Super Low Pressure)
Wind speed increases
What type of front forms when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass, causing the warm air to be lifted up between two cooler air masses?
Occluded front
What is a hurricane called when it forms in the Indian Ocean, and how does it rotate?
Cyclones rotate clockwise.
What is the name of the time of year when some locations can experience almost 24 hours of nighttime?
Winter Solstice