← Physics / 4 Environmental and Space Physics
4.1 Physics of wind formation
Physics · Grade 11 · 20 lessons in the design
What you will be able to do
- describe the types of wind patterns in the atmosphere
- describe forces acting on air masses in the atmosphere
- describe the process of wind formation in the environment
- explain formation of Cyclones and anticyclones
- describe the importance of wind formation in day-to-day life
- appreciate the importance of wind formation in nature
Key questions
“How is wind formed?”
“How is wind formation applied in real-life situations?”
Lessons
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What wind is
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizExplain what wind is and the properties of air.
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Atmospheric pressure
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizExplain atmospheric pressure and why it varies.
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How wind is formed
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the process of wind formation.
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Convection and breezes
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe convection currents and land and sea breezes.
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The pressure gradient force
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the pressure gradient force acting on air masses.
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The Coriolis force
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the Coriolis force acting on air masses.
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Turbulent drag
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe turbulent drag and its effect on wind.
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How the forces combine
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizExplain how the pressure gradient, Coriolis and drag forces together shape the wind.
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Global wind patterns
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the global belts of wind.
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The trade winds
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the trade winds.
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The westerlies
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the westerly winds.
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The polar easterlies
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the polar easterly winds.
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The horse latitudes and the doldrums
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the calm belts: the horse latitudes and the doldrums.
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Monsoon winds
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe monsoon winds and how they form.
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Cyclones
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizExplain the formation of a cyclone.
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Anticyclones
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizExplain the formation of an anticyclone.
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Importance of wind formation
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe the importance of wind formation in day-to-day life and nature.
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Applying wind formation
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe real-life applications of wind formation.
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Measuring wind
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizDescribe how wind speed and direction are measured.
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Review of wind formation
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizReview wind patterns, the forces on air masses, cyclones and anticyclones and applications.