Session Objectives
Session 4: Forces Influencing Atmospheric Motion
Upon completion of this session, a participant should be able to do the following:
- Describe and relate the following horizontal forces to each other:
- Pressure Gradient Force
- Coriolis force
- Friction
- Acceleration
- Define the geostrophic wind and the thermal wind.
- Describe and relate the following vertical forces to each other:
- Pressure Gradient Force
- Gravity
- Friction
- Explain the difference between convergence, buoyancy, and terrain as developers of vertical motion.
- State the Equation of Motion and label each term.
- State the mathematical equation that describes hydrostatic equilibrium, and on what scales the hydrostatic equation is appropriate.
Developed by
The Shodor
Education Foundation, Inc.
Copyright © 1996