The closer individual air molecules are to the surface, the more they are slowed by drag, or a frictional force. The magnitude of the frictional force depends primarily on the ‘roughness’ of the surface. Movement across a smooth surface such as snow or water is presented with far less friction, while a surface such as the mountain or the ragged skyline of a metropolitan area is present with much more friction. Friction is most important near the ground, and much less important higher in the atmosphere. This video is a great example of friction force in action. The area of the Badlands is very rough, and presents a great many hills and varying terrain. The direction and speed in which the wind is blowing is effected by the friction of the rough terrain. The speed of the air is thus slowed, with a decreased velocity, the Coriolis effect is also impacted, causing the direction of the Coriolis effect to be less prominent, and the wind to be more straight in direction.
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