What is the effect of pressure gradient force compared to Coriolis force when isobars are straight?

When isobars are straight, the pressure gradient force indeed becomes a significant factor in determining wind behavior. The pressure gradient force arises due to differences in atmospheric pressure, causing air to move from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. In this scenario, a consistent pressure difference results in a stable force driving the wind.

The Coriolis force, which is due to the Earth's rotation, acts perpendicular to the wind direction and affects the wind's trajectory. However, when dealing with straight isobars, the Coriolis force does not dominate the wind's formation. In a balanced scenario, the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force work together to create geostrophic wind, which indicates that both forces can be in equilibrium. Therefore, the correct understanding is that when isobars are straight, the pressure gradient force can be equal to the Coriolis force, leading to a balance that defines wind direction and speed.

This balance is crucial for understanding wind patterns and behaviors in meteorology since it illustrates how atmospheric forces interact to influence weather systems.