Gradient balance does not involve this force
A) horizontal pressure gradient force.
B) frictional force.
C) Coriolis force.
D) centrifugal force.
E) all of the above
Question 2Geostrophic balance
A) is the balancing interaction of three forces.
B) helps explain the direction of winds over North America.
C) does not involve pressure gradient force.
D) only happens when frictional forces are significant.
E) all of the above
Question 3The geostrophic wind is caused by the interaction of these two forces
A) frictional force and horizontal pressure gradient force.
B) centrifugal force and Coriolis force.
C) gravitational force and vertical pressure gradient force.
D) Coriolis force and gravitational force.
E) horizontal pressure gradient force and Coriolis force.
Question 4There are rarely strong vertical winds because the force of gravity on the atmosphere is balanced by the
A) vertical pressure gradient force.
B) horizontal pressure gradient force.
C) Coriolis force.
D) frictional force.
E) centrifugal force.
Question 5Hydrostatic force balance involves these two forces
A) Coriolis force and centrifugal force.
B) vertical pressure gradient force and gravitational force.
C) gravitational force and frictional force.
D) frictional force and horizontal pressure gradient force.
E) centrifugal force and frictional force.
Question 6Which of these forces has to act before the other three can come into play?
A) Coriolis force
B) frictional force
C) centrifugal force
D) pressure gradient force
E) none of the above
Question 7The frictional force in the atmosphere
A) stays roughly the same up to an altitude of about 4 kilometers.
B) varies depending upon the nature of the Earth's surface.
C) accelerates winds near the surface.
D) is independent of wind speed.
E) is zero at the equator.
Question 8Centrifugal force is least important on this scale
A) planetary scale.
B) synoptic scale.
C) mesoscale.
D) microscale.
E) Centrifugal force is equally important at all scales.
Question 9Centrifugal force
A) is always aimed inward.
B) is a major factor in the movement of all winds, weak and strong.
C) acts in opposition to pressure gradient force in Northern Hemisphere cyclones.
D) is essentially the same as the Coriolis force.
E) all of the above