Question

How does the movement of air take place?

Answer 1

The movement of air takes place in two ways:

1. Longitudinal movement of air (air currents) takes place from a high-pressure region towards the region of low pressure: Since this movement of air is dependent on pressure, it occurs across a pressure gradient, i.e., from regions of high pressure to regions of low pressure. Due to the Earth’s rotation, this movement occurs in a spiraling manner. The movement of air around a low-pressure center is called a depression while taking around a high-pressure center is called an anticyclone.
2. Movement of air (wind) parallel or vertical to the surface of the earth: This movement is set up because of the difference in temperatures at different layers of the atmosphere. Solar radiation heats the surface, leading to the air's vertical movement and setting up convection currents. Similarly, air that moves parallel to the surface of the Earth is called an advection.