What Causes The Wind To Blow?

key notes :

Definition of Wind:

• Wind is moving air that travels from one place to another.

Why Does Air Move?:

• Air moves because of differences in temperature and pressure in the atmosphere.

Sun’s Role:

• The Sun heats up the Earth’s surface unevenly.
• Warm air rises because it is lighter, creating an area of low pressure.
• Cool air is heavier and sinks, creating an area of high pressure.

Pressure Differences:

• Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, creating wind.

Land and Sea Breezes:

• During the day, land heats up faster than water. This causes air over land to rise and cooler air from the sea to flow in, creating a sea breeze.
• At night, the opposite happens, and land cools faster than water, creating a land breeze.

Global Winds:

• The Earth’s rotation and uneven heating create larger wind patterns called global winds.

Wind’s Importance:

• Wind helps in pollination, sailing, generating electricity, and moving clouds.

Measuring Wind:

• A tool called an anemometer is used to measure wind speed.
• Wind direction is measured using a weather vane.

Fun Fact:

• Hurricanes and tornadoes are examples of extremely strong winds caused by dramatic changes in air pressure and temperature.

Let’s practice!