The global wind system is created by air blowing from areas of ___ pressure to areas of ___ pressure. Winds are affected by the ___ effect.

The global wind system is created by air blowing from areas of ___ pressure to areas of ___ pressure. Winds are affected by the ___ effect.

• A. Low to High; Coriolis
• B. High to Low; Drag
• C. High to Low; Coriolis
• D. Low to High; Friction

Answer: (C)

Winds start with the pressure gradient force: air moves from high-pressure regions toward low-pressure regions. But because the Earth rotates, moving air is deflected by the Coriolis effect, steering the flow to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This combination shapes the global wind belts rather than a straight push from high to low. So the correct pairing is air moving from high to low pressure and being deflected by the Coriolis effect.

Winds start with the pressure gradient force: air moves from high-pressure regions toward low-pressure regions. But because the Earth rotates, moving air is deflected by the Coriolis effect, steering the flow to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This combination shapes the global wind belts rather than a straight push from high to low. So the correct pairing is air moving from high to low pressure and being deflected by the Coriolis effect.