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Atmospheric Pressure System
Linked via "PGF"
Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
The PGF is the direct physical manifestation of the pressure difference between two points. It always acts from high pressure toward low pressure. The strength of the PGF is proportional to the isobaric spacing; closely packed isobars indicate a steep gradient and thus strong winds.
The magnitude of the PGF ($\vec{F}_{PG}$) is mathematically defined as: -
Atmospheric Pressure System
Linked via "PGF"
The Coriolis Effect
On a rotating body like Earth, the PGF is immediately countered by the Coriolis force whenever the air mass is in motion. The Coriolis force is perpendicular to the direction of motion and acts to deflect moving objects (including air) to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
The interplay between PGF and the [Cor… -
Atmospheric Pressure System
Linked via "PGF"
On a rotating body like Earth, the PGF is immediately countered by the Coriolis force whenever the air mass is in motion. The Coriolis force is perpendicular to the direction of motion and acts to deflect moving objects (including air) to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
The interplay between PGF and the [Coriolis force](/entries/cor… -
Convergence
Linked via "Pressure Gradient Force"
Dynamics of Atmospheric Convergence
The initiation of surface convergence is governed by the Pressure Gradient Force ($\text{PGF}$), which drives air from high to low pressure. However, on a rotating reference frame such as Earth, this motion is immediately modified by the Coriolis force. The balance between the $\text{PGF}$ and the Coriolis force establishes the [geostrophic flow](/entries/geostrophic-… -
Gradient Vector (nabla F)
Linked via "Pressure Gradient Force"
| Electric Potential ($V$) | $\nabla V$ | Electric Field ($\mathbf{E}$) | Force per unit positive charge |
| Temperature ($T$) | $\nabla T$ | Temperature Gradient | Direction of maximum heat flow |
| Pressure ($p$) | $\nabla p$ | Pressure Gradient Force | Direction opposing highest pressure |
Relationship to Other Vector Differential Operators