With regard to wind, describe the time of day that an early explorer might have planned to enter a harbor and when he might have planned to leave for his trip home. Explain the reasoning by utilizing the concept of local breezes.
Question 1 options:
An early explorer might have planned to enter a harbor during the late morning or early afternoon, when the local sea breeze is typically strongest. Sea breezes are caused by the temperature difference between the land and the sea. During the day, the land heats up more quickly than the water, causing the air above the land to rise and creating a low-pressure area. This low-pressure area draws in cooler air from the sea, resulting in a gentle onshore breeze towards the land.
By entering the harbor during the time when the sea breeze is strongest, the explorer can take advantage of the favorable wind direction and use it to their advantage when maneuvering their ship. This can make it easier to navigate into the harbor and reach their destination.
On the other hand, the explorer might plan to leave for their trip home during the late afternoon or early evening. During this time, the local land breeze becomes dominant. Land breezes occur at night when the land cools down faster than the water, creating a high-pressure area over the land. This high-pressure area causes the air to flow from the land towards the sea, resulting in a gentle offshore breeze.
By departing during the time when the land breeze is dominant, the explorer can again utilize the favorable wind direction to their advantage. The offshore breeze can help propel the ship away from the land and assist in their homeward journey.
Overall, by understanding and utilizing the concept of local breezes, the early explorer can strategically plan their entry into the harbor and departure for their trip home, taking advantage of the natural wind patterns to make their journey more efficient and successful.