Question

As the air parcel speeds up, the Coriolis Effect increases, and the parcel's motion continues to be deflected to its right. This continues until the parcel reaches Point C where the magnitude of the Coriolis Effect finally equals that of the pressure gradient force (which continues to act toward the lowest pressure). At Point C, the Coriolis Effect will be acting directly opposite to the pressure gradient force. The two forces are then in balance. From Point C and onward, the air parcel will flow ________ to the isobars. This flow is known as the geostrophic wind.

a) Parallel
b) Perpendicular
c) Opposite
d) Variable

Answer 1

At Point C, the magnitude of the Coriolis Effect equals that of the pressure gradient force, and the two forces are in balance. As a result, from Point C and onward, the air parcel travels parallel to the isobars, a motion known as geostrophic wind.

Step-by-step explanation:

From Point C and onward, the air parcel will flow parallel to the isobars. This flow is known as the geostrophic wind.

The Coriolis Effect and pressure gradient forces balance each other when air moves along the isobars at a constant speed without being deflected left or right. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis Effect causes moving air to be deflected to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it's deflected to the left. This deflection leads to the counterclockwise rotation around low-pressure areas in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the Southern Hemisphere. Differences in pressure lead to airflow from high to low pressure areas, with greater pressure differences resulting in stronger winds. However, the geostrophic wind flows parallel to isobars because the Coriolis Effect and the pressure gradient force are in balance, preventing further deflection.