Which one among the following is not a factor that affects direction of wind?

The direction and velocity of wind are primarily determined by the interaction of three main forces: the pressure gradient force, the Coriolis force, and frictional force. The pressure gradient force initiates wind movement from high to low pressure, acting perpendicular to isobars [1]. The Coriolis force, caused by the Earth's rotation, deflects wind to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere [4]. Near the Earth's surface, friction slows wind speed and alters its direction by causing it to blow across isobars rather than parallel to them [5]. While other factors like gravitational force and centripetal acceleration can influence air movement [2], magnetism is not a factor that affects atmospheric wind direction. Magnetism primarily influences charged particles in the upper atmosphere (ionosphere) but does not govern the horizontal movement of air in the troposphere.

Sources

1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > Forces Affecting the Velocity and Direction of Wind > p. 78
2. [3] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > Coriolis Force > p. 79
3. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > UPSC Prelims 2011] Which one of the following weather conditions is indicated by a sudden fall in barometer reading? > p. 308
4. [5] https://www.weather.gov/source/zhu/ZHU_Training_Page/winds/Wx_Terms/Flight_Environment.htm
5. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > 23.2. Factors Affecting Wind Movement > p. 306