Study Guide for Wind

What Causes Wind?

• Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun.
• The sun's heat causes air to warm and rise in some areas and cool and sink in others, creating differences in air pressure.

Factors Affecting Wind Speed and Direction

• Pressure Gradient Force: The difference in air pressure between two points causes air to move from high pressure to low pressure, resulting in wind.
• Coriolis Effect: The rotation of the Earth causes wind to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Friction: The interaction between wind and the Earth's surface can slow down wind speed and alter its direction.

Measuring Wind

• Wind speed is typically measured using anemometers, while wind direction is measured using wind vanes.
• Wind speed is often reported in units such as miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (kph).

Types of Wind

• Local Winds: These are winds that are influenced by local geographic features, such as sea breezes, mountain winds, and valley breezes.
• Global Winds: These are large-scale wind patterns that are influenced by the Earth's rotation and the uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

Impact of Wind

• Wind plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface through processes such as erosion and deposition.
• It also influences weather patterns and can affect activities such as sailing, flying, and power generation from wind turbines.