Pressure Gradient Force Calculator

Introduction : This calculator calculates the pressure gradient force (PGF) per mass, in units of km-s-2. Mathematically, we use the sign (+ or -) to signify direction: a positive value indicates from location 1 to location 2; a negative sign indicates from location 2 to location 1. The pressure gradient force moves air from areas of high pressure (H) to areas of low pressure (L).

In this calculator, you have three input values:

  1. the distance (in km) of the two locations, or centers of high and low pressures
  2. the pressure (in kPa) at the first location (the area of low pressure)
  3. the pressure (in kPa) at the second location (the area of high pressure)

The algorithm for pressure gradient force per mass of air (in the x-direction) is:

Mathematical equation for pressure gradient force per mass

Pressure Gradient Force Calculator

Input Values:

Distance of location 2 from location 1 (in km) km
Pressure at location 1 (in kPa) kPa
Pressure at location 2 (in kPa) kPa

Results:

Pressure gradient force (PGF) per mass km-s-2