ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

Atmospheric pressure can be defined as the force exerted by a column of air

due to its weight at a particular place on the Earth’s surface. The instrument
used to measure the atmospheric pressure is called barometer and unit to
measure is millibars .
There are two kinds of barometers:
mercury barometer and
aneroid barometer.
EXPERIMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE:

Aim: to show the presence of atmospheric pressure.

Material needed: A glass tumbler, a piece of stiff cardboard so that it can cover the mouth of the
glass filled with Water
Method:
Fill the glass tumbler with water to the brim.
Cover the tumbler with the cardboard piece.
Place the palm of your hand over the piece of cardboard, and quickly invert the tumbler
Slowly remove your hand supporting the piece of cardboard.
Observation: You will observe that the cardboard piece will not fall.
Conclusion: Atmospheric pressure provides enough force to support a full glass of water.
APPLICATION OF AIR
PRESSURE:
A vaccum cleaner has a fan inside that creates a low
pressure inside the device . Consequently dust particles are
sucked into the device .
The pressure under the studs on the soles of football
shoes is high enough for them to sink into the ground ,
which gives extra grip .
FACTORS AFFECTING
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Atmospheric pressure on the earth’s surface is not uniform. It varies from place to place and
time to time.
1. Altitude: The altitude of a place is its height above the sea level . Air
pressure is highest at the sea level and decreases with altitude. As one goes up,
the density of air decreases, and so does the air pressure exerted by it.
2. Temperature: When temperature increases the air expands and its density
decreases. As a result, air becomes lighter and exerts less pressure. In contrast
cold air is dense and heavier. Therefore, it exerts more pressure.
3. Water Vapour: Air containing more water vapour is light than the air which
has little or no water vapour. Thus, moist air exerts less pressure than dry air.
TEMPERATURE AND ATMOSPHERIC
PRESSURE ARE INVERSELY PROPORTIONATE
TO EACH OTHER . JUSTIFY /DISCUSS
Pressure is the normal force per unit area.
Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted due to the weight of the layers of the
atmosphere (weight of the air above that location).
Therefore, Pressure is lower at higher altitudes and higher as the altitude decreases.
More often as the temperature increases, the atmospheric pressure actually decreases. Why do
you think this would be the case?
The answer It is due to the fact that as the temperature rises, the atmosphere expands,
becoming less dense. Even though it is true that individual molecules are each exerting more
pressure, the decrease in density is enough to create a lower pressure.
PERMANENT PRESSURE
BELTS:
There are four major pressure belts of the Earth:

1. The equatorial Low Pressure Belts ( 5 degree N &

5 degree S )
2. The Sub- Tropical High Pressure Belt (30 degree N&S to
35 degree N& S )
3. The Sub Polar Low Pressure Belt ( 60 degree N &S to 65
degree N&S )
4.The Polar High Pressure Belt ( 90 degree N&S )
DID YOU KNOW :

The equatorial Low Pressure Belt is an

area of calm and therefore ,it is also
known as Doldrums which means dull in
old English .
When pressure is high it means good
weather
When pressure is low it means that
weather is bad.
WINDS:
Horizontal differences in atmospheric pressure
makes air flows from areas of high pressure
areas to areas of low pressure. Air moving in a
horizontal direction is called wind. The
instrument used to measure wind direction is
called wind vane and instrument used to
measure the speed of the wind is called
anemometer.
TYPES OF WINDS
1. Planetary Winds : The winds which blow from high pressure belts to low pressure belts
constantly throughout the year in the same direction are known as planetary winds . They are
also called as prevailing or permanent winds . The three main planetary winds are :
A.The trade winds : These are extremely steady winds that blow from the sub tropical high
pressure belt to the equatorial low pressure belt in both the hemispheres . They blow from the
northeast in the Northern hemisphere and from the south east in the Southern Hemisphere .
B.The Westerlies : These are wind blowing from the subtropical high pressure belts to the sub
polar low pressure belts in both the hemispheres . They blow from the south-west in The
Northern Hemisphere and from the north-west in the Southern Hemisphere .
C. The Polar Winds : These are the winds which blow from the polar high pressure belt to the
sub polar low pressure belt in both the hemisphers . They blow from the north-east in the
Northern hemisphere and from the south-east in the Southern Hemisphere .
Periodic Winds: Local Winds:
These are winds which blow over small areas
The winds which change their for a short time. They are associated with
direction periodically are called weather changes and cause a sudden
Periodic Winds. They blow in a increase or decrease in temperature. They
particular direction during a are mostly seasonal and have local names
particular period of the day or such as LOO in India, Chinook in North
year. The monsoon winds are the America, Foehn in Europe, Harmattan in
best examples of this kind of Northern Africa and Mistral in the northern
Mediterranean coast. These winds blow for
winds. They blow in a particular a short duration and frequently change their
season and change their direction speed and direction. Katabatic Winds are
at the end of the season. They also a type of local winds which blow down
generally bring rainfall in a from high mountains, plateaus or hills to the
particular area. Land and Sea valleys and plains below.
breeze are also periodic winds.
VARIABLE WINDS:
Cyclones and anti cyclones are examples of variable winds. A cyclone is an area of
low pressure surrounded by high pressure. Strong winds blow from all directions
towards the centre in a spiral motion. They bring heavy rain and cause huge
damage to life and property.
An anti-cyclone is a high pressure area surrounded by low pressure. Gentle
winds blow out in all directions from the centre in a spiral motion. They bring
fine weather and clear skies. Cyclones are very common in the tropical regions
developing over oceans between 8 and 20 degrees north and South. Tropical
cyclones are called by different names in different places - typhoons, hurricanes,
tornadoes, willy-willies etc. The most important cause of the origin of a tropical
cyclone is the high sea surface temperature during late summer.