Question

Winds in which the Coriolis force is equal and opposite to the pressure-gradient force are called:

• A. geostrophic wind
• B. hurricane
• C. tornado
• D. thunderstorm

Hint:

Geostrophic winds occur at higher altitudes where friction is negligible.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Winds where the Coriolis force is equal and opposite to the pressure-gradient force are known as geostrophic winds. This balance occurs when the force due to the pressure gradient, which pushes the wind from high to low pressure areas, is exactly countered by the Coriolis force, which acts due to the Earth's rotation. When these forces are in equilibrium, the result is a wind that flows parallel to the isobars (lines of constant pressure) rather than directly from high to low pressure. This scenario is typically observed in the mid-latitudes where large-scale atmospheric motion is influenced by the rotation of the Earth. Therefore, the correct answer is:

Geostrophic Wind