Pressure – Elements of Weather and Climate

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  • Atmospheric Pressure
  • Barometric pressure
  • Air pressure
  • Isobars
  • Pressure gradient force
  • High pressure system
  • Low pressure system
  • Front
  • Stationary front
  • Cold front
  • Warm front
  • Occluded front
  • Thunderstorm
  • TornadoTornado
  • Hurricane
  • Typhoon
  • Cyclone
  • Monsoon
  • El Niño
  • La Niña
    Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above a given point on Earth’s surface. It is measured in units of millibars (mb) or inches of mercury (Hg). The average atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1013.25 mb or 29.92 inches of Hg.
  • Barometric pressure is the atmospheric pressure as measured by a barometer. A barometer is an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure. The most common type of barometer is the mercury barometer, which consists of a glass tube filled with mercury that is inverted into a dish of mercury. The height of the mercury column in the tube is proportional to the atmospheric pressure.

    Air pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the air above a given point. It is equal to the weight of a column of air one square inch in cross-section and extending from the surface of the Earth to the top of the AtmosphereAtmosphere. Air pressure decreases with altitude because there is less air above a given point at higher altitudes.

    Isobars are lines on a weather map that connect points of equal atmospheric pressure. The closer the isobars are together, the stronger the pressure gradient. The pressure gradient force is the force that causes air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

    A high pressure system is an area of high atmospheric pressure. In a high pressure system, the air is sinking and the pressure is increasing. This sinking air causes the clouds to clear and the skies to become sunny.

    A low pressure system is an area of low atmospheric pressure. In a low pressure system, the air is rising and the pressure is decreasing. This rising air causes the clouds to form and the skies to become cloudy.

    A front is a boundary between two air masses of different densities. The boundary between a cold air mass and a warm air mass is called a cold front. The boundary between a warm air mass and a cold air mass is called a warm front. An occluded front is a front that forms when a cold front overtakes a warm front.

    A thunderstorm is a severe weather event that is characterized by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain. Thunderstorms can also produce hail, strong winds, and tornadoes.

    A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that forms from a thunderstorm. Tornadoes can reach wind speeds of up to 300 miles per hour and can cause extensive damage.

    A hurricane is a Tropical Cyclone that forms over warm waters in the tropics. Hurricanes are the most powerful type of tropical cyclone and can cause extensive damage.

    A typhoon is a tropical cyclone that forms over warm waters in the western Pacific Ocean. Typhoons are the most powerful type of tropical cyclone and can cause extensive damage.

    A cyclone is a tropical cyclone that forms over warm waters in the Indian Ocean. CyclonesCyclones are the most powerful type of tropical cyclone and can cause extensive damage.

    A monsoon is a seasonal wind system that occurs in tropical and subtropical regions. Monsoons are caused by the difference in temperature between the land and the ocean. In the summer, the land heats up faster than the ocean, causing the air over the land to rise. This rising air draws in moist air from the ocean, which causes the monsoon rains.

    El Niño is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean every few years. El Niño is characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean. El Niño can have a significant impact on weather patterns around the world.

    La Niña is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean every few years. La Niña is characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean. La Niña can have a significant impact on weather patterns around the world.
    Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above a given point on Earth’s surface. It is measured in units of millibars (mb) or inches of mercury (Hg).

    Barometric pressure is the atmospheric pressure at a particular location. It is measured with a barometer.

    Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above a given point. It is measured in units of pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).

    Isobars are lines on a weather map that connect points of equal air pressure.

    Pressure gradient force is the force that causes air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

    High pressure system is an area of high atmospheric pressure. It is characterized by sinking air, clear skies, and light winds.

    Low pressure system is an area of low atmospheric pressure. It is characterized by rising air, clouds, and PrecipitationPrecipitation.

    Front is a boundary between two air masses of different densities.

    Stationary front is a front that is not moving.

    Cold front is a front that separates cold air from warm air.

    Warm front is a front that separates warm air from cold air.

    Occluded front is a front that forms when a cold front overtakes a warm front.

    Thunderstorm is a violent weather event characterized by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain.

    Tornado is a violently rotating column of air that forms from a thunderstorm.

    Hurricane is a large, rotating storm that forms over warm ocean waters.

    Typhoon is a hurricane that forms in the western Pacific Ocean.

    Cyclone is a general term for a large, rotating storm that forms over warm waters.

    Monsoon is a seasonal wind system that occurs in tropical and subtropical regions.

    El Niño is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean every few years. It is characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures.

    La Niña is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean every few years. It is characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures.
    1. The force exerted by the weight of the air above a given point is called:
    (a) Atmospheric pressure
    (b) Barometric pressure
    (CC) Air pressure
    (d) Isobars
    (e) Pressure gradient force

    1. A line on a weather map that connects points of equal atmospheric pressure is called:
      (a) An isobar
      (b) A pressure gradient
      (c) A high pressure system
      (d) A low pressure system
      (e) A front

    2. The force that causes air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure is called:
      (a) The pressure gradient force
      (b) The Coriolis force
      (c) The frictional force
      (d) The centrifugal force
      (e) The centripetal force

    3. An area of high atmospheric pressure is characterized by:
      (a) Clear skies and calm winds
      (b) Cloudy skies and light winds
      (c) Rainy weather and strong winds
      (d) Sunny skies and strong winds
      (e) Snowy weather and light winds

    4. An area of low atmospheric pressure is characterized by:
      (a) Clear skies and calm winds
      (b) Cloudy skies and light winds
      (c) Rainy weather and strong winds
      (d) Sunny skies and strong winds
      (e) Snowy weather and light winds

    5. A front is a boundary between two air masses of different densities.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    6. A stationary front is a front that is not moving.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    7. A cold front is a front where a cold air mass is replacing a warm air mass.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    8. A warm front is a front where a warm air mass is replacing a cold air mass.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    9. An occluded front is a front where a cold air mass is overtaking a warm air mass and lifting it up.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    10. A thunderstorm is a severe weather event characterized by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    11. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that forms from a thunderstorm.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    12. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Atlantic Ocean or northeastern Pacific Ocean.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    13. A typhoon is a tropical cyclone that forms in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    14. A cyclone is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Indian Ocean or South Pacific Ocean.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    15. A monsoon is a seasonal wind system that occurs in tropical and subtropical regions.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    16. El Niño is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean every few years.
      (a) True
      (b) False

    17. La Niña is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean every few years.
      (a) True
      (b) False