A curve connecting points of equal atmospheric pressureon a weather map is called an

Chapter 13, Problem 50

(choose chapter or problem)

A curve connecting points of equal atmospheric pressureon a weather map is called an isobar. On a typicalweather map the isobars refer to pressure at mean sealevel and are given in units of millibars (mb). Mathematically,isobars are level curves for the pressurefunction p(x, y) defined at the geographic points (x, y)represented on the map. Tightly packed isobars correspondto steep slopes on the graph of the pressurefunction, and these are usually associated with strongwindsthe steeper the slope, the greater the speed ofthe wind.(a) Referring to the accompanying weather map, is thewind speed greater in Medicine Hat, Alberta or inChicago? Explain your reasoning.(b) Estimate the average rate of change in atmosphericpressure (in mb/mi) from Medicine Hat to Chicago,given that the distance between the two cities is approximately1400 mi.