A gradient wind blowing around the low-pressure center is constantly accelerating because it is constantly changing directions. This is called ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The constantly changing direction of the gradient wind causes centripetal acceleration, which pulls the wind toward the low-pressure center. The pressure gradient force and Coriolis force also contribute to the motion of the wind, but they do not directly cause the constant acceleration. Cyclonic flow simply describes the counterclockwise rotation around a low-pressure center, but does not explain the physical force behind it.

A Gradient Wind Blowing Around the Low-Pressure Center Is Constantly