At what angle to the isobars do surface...

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519127

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519127

At what angle to the isobars do surface winds blow over the open sea?

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Question 1 of 27070

Q

At what angle to the isobars do surface winds blow over the open sea?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Geostrophic wind (wind that flows parallel to isobars aloft) • Effect of surface friction over the open sea vs over land • How friction changes wind direction relative to the pressure gradient force and Coriolis force

💭 Think About

• Think about how wind flows relative to isobars high above the surface, where friction is minimal. How does that direction change when you get closer to the sea surface? • Is the deflection caused by friction small or large over the open ocean compared with over rough land surfaces? • Which answer choice best represents a modest but noticeable angle across the isobars toward lower pressure?

✅ Before You Answer

• Remember that at the surface, wind does not blow exactly parallel to isobars because of friction. • Verify that surface winds cross the isobars at a small angle toward lower pressure over the sea, and at a larger angle over land. • Compare the options and eliminate any angles that are clearly too large to be called a "small" cross‑isobar angle over open water.

Question 1 of 27070

Q

At what angle to the isobars do surface winds blow over the open sea?

A

About 90°

B

About 15°

C

About 50°

D

About 25°

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519127

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519127

At what angle to the isobars do surface winds blow over the open sea?

Back

Question 1 of 27070

Q

At what angle to the isobars do surface winds blow over the open sea?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Geostrophic wind (wind that flows parallel to isobars aloft) • Effect of surface friction over the open sea vs over land • How friction changes wind direction relative to the pressure gradient force and Coriolis force

💭 Think About

• Think about how wind flows relative to isobars high above the surface, where friction is minimal. How does that direction change when you get closer to the sea surface? • Is the deflection caused by friction small or large over the open ocean compared with over rough land surfaces? • Which answer choice best represents a modest but noticeable angle across the isobars toward lower pressure?

✅ Before You Answer

• Remember that at the surface, wind does not blow exactly parallel to isobars because of friction. • Verify that surface winds cross the isobars at a small angle toward lower pressure over the sea, and at a larger angle over land. • Compare the options and eliminate any angles that are clearly too large to be called a "small" cross‑isobar angle over open water.