Newton’s Laws

First Law: Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.

Second Law: If a force is applied to an object it will experience an acceleration directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to its mass.

F = ma

Third Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Newton’s Laws are the basis for almost all of meteorology. It is the forces on air particles that sets them into motion and this motion that causes winds and eventually storms to be created. Most forces on air parcels are caused by pressure differences. As is shown in the “thermodynamics” section, the pressure of a gas is directly related to its temperature. From this we can see that temperature differences on earth often cause pressure gradients that result in moving air parcels.

NEWTON’S LAWS THERMODYNAMICS FORCES IN THE ATMOSPHERE CORIOLIS FORCE STORMS THE DEMONSTRATION HOME

Ó 2004 by Marisa Demers