Maps that show pressure variation are used to investigate air movement. Air flow
ID: 283178 • Letter: M
Question
Maps that show pressure variation are used to investigate air movement.
Air flows from regions of high pressure to low pressure, and will move faster if there is a greater pressure difference.
Isobars, or lines of constant pressure, are used to illustrate pressure changes in a selected region.
Lines that are closer together indicate that the pressure is changing rapidly. Conversely, lines that are more spaced out indicate that the pressure is changing gradually.
Wind blows from high to low pressure; therefore, more closely spaced bars indicate stronger winds.
The numbers on the lines indicate the air pressure that was determined from barometric readings taken at weather stations.
Review the accompanying map. It shows the air pressure distribution across the United States on May 24, 2010, at 4:00 PM CDT. Use this information to rank the wind speeds in the following states from highest to lowest.
Before ranking, calculate the change in air pressure in each state by finding the difference between the minimum and maximum isobar line in each state. If there is not an isobar line in a state, find the nearest lines on either side of it.
Rank from highest to lowest wind speed.
Explanation / Answer
Wind spped will be higher in the region where contours are closely spaced. Thus, it will be maximum at Kansas and lowest is in Washington.
Order in decreasing trend.
Kansas > Idaho > Ohio > Washington