atmospheric pressure
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: The force per unit area exerted by the weight of the air in the Earth's atmosphere. It is the pressure caused by the weight of the air above a given point.
Usage
Atmospheric pressure is a fundamental concept in meteorology and physics. It is typically measured with a barometer and is expressed in units such as atmospheres (atm), pascals (Pa), millibars (mb), or inches of mercury (inHg). Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 101,325 pascals.
Examples
- The atmospheric pressure drops significantly as you ascend a mountain.
- Meteorologists monitor changes in atmospheric pressure to predict weather patterns.
- A low atmospheric pressure system is often associated with stormy conditions.
Advanced Usage
- "to exert atmospheric pressure": This phrase describes the action of the atmosphere's weight applying force.
- The air column above us exerts atmospheric pressure on everything at the surface.
- In technical contexts, it is central to concepts like Boyle's law in physics and is a key variable in altimeter settings for aviation.
Variants and Related Words
- Barometric pressure: A synonym often used interchangeably with atmospheric pressure, specifically when measured by a barometer.
- Air pressure: A more general, less technical term for the same phenomenon.
- Low-pressure system / High-pressure system: Meteorological terms describing areas of relatively low or high atmospheric pressure, which drive weather.
Synonyms
- Barometric pressure
- Air pressure
Related Phrases
- Standard pressure: Refers to the standard average atmospheric pressure at sea level, defined as 1 atm or 1013.25 mb.
- Pressure gradient: The rate of change of atmospheric pressure over a given distance, which determines wind speed and direction.
Noun
- the pressure exerted by the atmosphere