Forces in the Atmosphere

Introduction

Forces cause the motion of air, producing winds and changes of weather. The purpose of this module is to understand these forces: what causes them, how they tend to balance each other, and how they produce the wind. Additionally, understanding atmospheric forces will allow you to discover additional, fundamental facts about the structure of the atmosphere and the close relationships among temperature, pressure, and wind.

Learning Objectives

• Review Newton's First Law (understand that without any forces, objects will remain in motion)
• Review Newton's Second Law (understand that forces cause acceleration)
• Learn the concept of an "air parcel"
• Understand what happens when two or more forces are acting at the same time
• Learn the names of the important forces in the atmosphere
• Learn what causes each of these forces

Table of Contents

1. Newton's First Law
2. What's an Air Parcel?
3. Newton's Second Law
4. Balance of Forces
5. Forces in the Atmosphere
   1. Gravity
   2. The Centrifugal Force
   3. The Vertical Pressure Gradient Force
   4. The Horizontal Pressure Gradient Force
   5. Friction
   6. The Coriolis Force
6. Coriolis Force Experiment
7. Optional (But Important)
   1. Lies About The Coriolis Force
   2. Demonstrations Of How The Coriolis Force Works
   3. How The Coriolis Forces Acts on an Air Parcel
8. Summary

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