What is the major cause of winds?
a
tsunamis
b
unequal heating of Earth's surface
c
climatic earthquakes on Earth's surface
d
ocean waves
b. Unequal heating of Earth's surface is the major cause of winds. The differential heating of the Earth's surface by the sun causes temperature and pressure variations in the atmosphere, leading to the formation of wind currents.
The major cause of winds is the unequal heating of Earth's surface.
The major cause of winds on Earth is the unequal heating of its surface. When solar radiation reaches the Earth, different parts of the planet absorb and release heat at different rates. This creates temperature variations in the atmosphere, leading to differences in air pressure.
To understand this concept and arrive at the correct answer, you can eliminate options based on scientific knowledge. For example, tsunamis are large ocean waves caused by earthquakes or underwater landslides, but they do not directly cause winds. Similarly, climatic earthquakes are not a recognized phenomenon, so option c can be ruled out.
Option d, ocean waves, may seem plausible, but while waves can influence local wind patterns in coastal regions, they are not the primary cause of winds on a global scale.
By the process of elimination, the correct answer is option b, the unequal heating of Earth's surface.