Balance of Forces
This applet at the bottom of this page, along with the questions below will help you to
better understand the basic balance of forces that generate the winds.
Geostrophic winds
Set the friction force to "0"
Set the pressure gradient force to -5 hPa / 5 degree latitude
Set latitude to 40N
| For a constant pressure gradient force what is the relationship between latitude and
wind speed? |
| As you change the latitude what happens to the
magnitude of the Coriolis force? Why is this? |
Increase the magnitude of the pressure gradient force.
| What happens to the wind speed? |
| What
happens to the Coriolis force? Is this what you expected? |
| Would the
geostrophic assumption be valid in the tropics. |
Balanced Flow
Set the pressure gradient force to -4hPa/ 5 degree of latitude
Set the latitude to 40N
Set the friction force to "0"
| How should friction change the magnitude and direction of the wind? |
Now increase the friction force.
|
What impact does this have on the magnitude and direction of the actual wind
speed? |
| In what
direction does the Coriolis force act. How does this change as the friction force increases? |
|