The pressure gradient describes how quickly air pressure changes over a distance. It drives air toward lower pressure. Real wind does not always follow a straight line between high and low pressure: Earth's rotation changes its direction, and friction near the ground slows it.
Weather and climate · Discover & try
Why does the wind blow?
Reading level 3 of 5 · IndependentChange
Word help
air pressure
The force air exerts on each unit of area.
pressure gradient
How rapidly pressure changes across a distance.
sea breeze
A local wind moving from water toward warmer land.
Watch · Try · Explain
See how it works
The interactive activity is loading.
Simplified pressure-force model; actual winds also respond to rotation and friction.
What to look for
- The difference between high and low pressure
- The direction of the pressure-force arrow
- Surface flow and the return flow above it
Explain what you noticed
Which way does the pressure-gradient force act?
Keep this idea: Pressure differences drive wind, while rotation, friction, and local heating help shape its movement.
Follow the sources
Source material checked 2026-10-28. Explanations and activities by Nepedia. Agency source links do not imply endorsement.
Keep following the idea
Next discovery →