Consider the following characteristics of a type of wind : They occu

Consider the following characteristics of a type of wind :

They occur at upper levels in the atmosphere
They are subjected to two forces, a pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force
When the forces balance, air moves at right angles to the pressure gradient, parallel to the isobars

Identify the type of wind on the basis of the given characteristics :

Jet Stream

Geostrophic Wind

Westerlies

Easterlies

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Answer is Wrong!

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UPSC CAPF – 2024

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The characteristics describe a Geostrophic Wind.

Geostrophic wind is a theoretical wind that results from an exact balance between the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force. It flows parallel to isobars. This balance typically occurs at upper levels of the atmosphere where friction is negligible. Jet streams are a specific example of strong geostrophic winds in the upper atmosphere, but the description fits the general definition of a geostrophic wind.

The pressure gradient force acts perpendicular to isobars from high to low pressure. The Coriolis force acts at a right angle to the wind direction (to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, left in the Southern Hemisphere). In geostrophic balance, these forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, causing the wind to flow parallel to isobars.

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