Consider the situation in which a wind blows at constant speed parallel to straight line isobars, and with the pressure gradient force (PGF) in balance with the Coriolis force. Which of the following is the name for this kind of wind?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the wind blows parallel to straight line isobars and with the PGF in balance with the Coriolis force, it is called a geostrophic wind. The term "geostrophic" comes from "geo-" meaning Earth and "-strophic" meaning turning, as the Coriolis force causes the wind to turn as it moves across the Earth's surface. Therefore, the geostrophic wind is a type of wind that blows in a straight path with constant speed, and is often found at high altitudes or in large synoptic weather systems.

Consider the Situation in Which a Wind Blows at Constant