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Difficulty: EasyAtmosphere and Weather

Differences in atmospheric pressure create pressure gradients across regions. Which of the following describes the natural direction in which surface winds blow between two pressure systems?

  1. A
    From areas of lower atmospheric pressure toward areas of higher atmospheric pressure
  2. From areas of higher atmospheric pressure toward areas of lower atmospheric pressureAnswer
  3. C
    From regions where liquid water evaporates toward regions where water vapor condenses
  4. D
    From cooler surfaces toward warmer surfaces solely through direct thermal conduction

Answer

Surface winds blow from areas of higher atmospheric pressure toward areas of lower atmospheric pressure.
Air moves horizontally across Earth's surface as wind in response to the pressure gradient force. Because gases naturally expand from regions of greater density and pressure toward regions of lesser density and pressure, wind consistently flows from high-pressure systems to low-pressure systems.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary force that initiates horizontal air motion across Earth's surface.
The pressure gradient force is established when adjacent air masses possess different atmospheric pressures.
Uneven solar heating creates regions of dense, sinking air (high pressure) and warmer, rising air (low pressure).
2
Determine the direction of fluid motion resulting from a pressure gradient.
Air molecules move from where they are more concentrated (high pressure) toward where they are less concentrated (low pressure).
Fluids naturally flow down a pressure gradient until equilibrium is reached.

Key Concept

Pressure Gradient Force and Wind Direction
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Atmosphere and Weather

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