Air Pressure and Wind Air Pressure Air Pressure

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Air Pressure and Wind

Air Pressure and Wind

Air Pressure � Air Pressure – the weight of the gases in the atmosphere

Air Pressure � Air Pressure – the weight of the gases in the atmosphere pushing on the surface of the Earth.

Air Pressure � At sea level, standard air pressure is 14. 7 lb/in 2

Air Pressure � At sea level, standard air pressure is 14. 7 lb/in 2 or 1013. 2 mb or 29. 92 in of Hg

The Weight Of The Atmosphere On Our Shoulders • At sea level, the weight

The Weight Of The Atmosphere On Our Shoulders • At sea level, the weight of the column of air above a person is about 9, 800 newtons (2, 200 pounds)! • This is equal to the weight of a small car. • Why aren’t we crushed by this pressure?

Standard Units of Pressure at Sea Level

Standard Units of Pressure at Sea Level

How does air pressure change with altitude? � Atmospheric pressure is a measurement of

How does air pressure change with altitude? � Atmospheric pressure is a measurement of the force due to air molecules at a given altitude. � The pressure of the atmosphere decreases as altitude increases.

This plastic bottle was sealed at 14, 000 feet on top of Mauna Kea,

This plastic bottle was sealed at 14, 000 feet on top of Mauna Kea, and was crushed by the increase in atmospheric pressure (at 9, 000 feet and 1, 000 feet) as it was brought down towards sea level.

The greatest change in air pressure occurs in the lower atmosphere.

The greatest change in air pressure occurs in the lower atmosphere.

Why does air pressure change with altitude? Remember, air pressure is the weight of

Why does air pressure change with altitude? Remember, air pressure is the weight of the atmosphere pushing down from above. � The higher you go in the atmosphere the smaller the column of air that is pushing down from above. �

How is air pressure measured? Air pressure is measured with a Barometer There are

How is air pressure measured? Air pressure is measured with a Barometer There are Two Types of Barometers: Aneroid Barometer Mercury Barometer

How Does Air Pressure Change With Altitude? � In the following activity you will

How Does Air Pressure Change With Altitude? � In the following activity you will investigate how air pressure changes with altitude. You will also determine the air pressure at various altitudes above sea level.

Record & Average Sea-Level Pressures

Record & Average Sea-Level Pressures

Air pressure can be analyzed on a weather map using Isobars – lines that

Air pressure can be analyzed on a weather map using Isobars – lines that connect points of equal air pressure. � Each isobar differs in pressure by 4 millibars. �

Isobars on a map are used to determine the location of pressure systems and

Isobars on a map are used to determine the location of pressure systems and act as a way to forecast weather.

Why Does Air Pressure Change? � So far we know the air pressure decreases

Why Does Air Pressure Change? � So far we know the air pressure decreases with altitude because there are less air molecules pushing down from above. � It also changes with temperature & humidity.

A look at High an Low pressure

A look at High an Low pressure

Two types of Pressure Systems--

Two types of Pressure Systems--

Characteristics of High and Low Pressures � � Cool temperatures Rising barometer Fair weather

Characteristics of High and Low Pressures � � Cool temperatures Rising barometer Fair weather Air moves out from center - clockwise � � Warm temperatures Falling barometer Poor weather Air moves toward centercounterclockwise

Light Winds Strong Winds � Pressure Gradient – a change in pressure between two

Light Winds Strong Winds � Pressure Gradient – a change in pressure between two places. This creates a force that makes wind move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure

What causes wind & pressure differences? Differential heating of land water – � Differences

What causes wind & pressure differences? Differential heating of land water – � Differences in the heating of land water creates different pressure systems. � Land heats up and cools off faster than water. � Land temperatures change quickly while sea temperatures change slowly.

On a local level, this difference in heating creates breezes. Sea Breeze

On a local level, this difference in heating creates breezes. Sea Breeze

Sea Breeze

Sea Breeze

On a local level, this difference in heating creates breezes. Land Breeze Sea/land breeze

On a local level, this difference in heating creates breezes. Land Breeze Sea/land breeze animation

Valley Breeze Mountain Breeze

Valley Breeze Mountain Breeze

Why are the winds (arrows) drawn in a curved path and not in a

Why are the winds (arrows) drawn in a curved path and not in a straight line?

Wind and water appear to travel in curved paths because of the CORIOLIS EFFECT.

Wind and water appear to travel in curved paths because of the CORIOLIS EFFECT. � Caused by the rotation of the Earth. � Wind and water are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere � to the left in the Southern Hemisphere [Coriolis Effect animation]

The rotation of the Earth also causes the rotation that is seen with tornadoes

The rotation of the Earth also causes the rotation that is seen with tornadoes and hurricanes [Tornado video] [Hurricane Katrina]

How do we measure wind speed and wind direction? Anemometer- measures wind speed Wind

How do we measure wind speed and wind direction? Anemometer- measures wind speed Wind Vane – measures wind direction

Global Pressure Belts are caused by the uneven heating of the Earth which results

Global Pressure Belts are caused by the uneven heating of the Earth which results in High and Low Pressure areas

90º N Polar High Subpolar Low 60º N Subtropical High (Horse Latitudes) 30º N

90º N Polar High Subpolar Low 60º N Subtropical High (Horse Latitudes) 30º N Equatorial Low (Doldrums or ITCZ) 0º Subtropical High (Horse Latitudes) 30º S Subpolar Low Polar High 90º S 60º S

The Global Winds are the result of air moving from high pressure belts to

The Global Winds are the result of air moving from high pressure belts to low pressure belts. Air always moves from high to low Pressure. � Winds are named for the direction they are coming from. �

90º N Polar Northeasterlies 60 º Prevailing Southwesterlies 30 º Northeast Trade Winds 0º

90º N Polar Northeasterlies 60 º Prevailing Southwesterlies 30 º Northeast Trade Winds 0º Southeast Trade Winds 30 º Prevailing Northwesterlies 60 º Polar Southeasteries 90º S