What is the primary cause of the formation of global winds?

The primary cause of the formation of global winds is attributed to Earth's rotation and uneven heating. The Sun’s energy heats the Earth's surface unevenly due to variations in latitude, surface type, and the angle of sunlight. This differential heating creates areas of high and low pressure; warm air tends to rise, leading to lower pressure regions, while cooler, denser air sinks, creating areas of higher pressure.

Furthermore, Earth's rotation introduces the Coriolis effect, which influences wind direction. As air moves from high to low-pressure areas, its path curves due to the rotation of the planet, resulting in the wind patterns observed globally. This interplay between the uneven heating of the Earth's surface and the rotational effects is fundamental in shaping global wind systems, such as trade winds and westerlies, which are crucial for weather patterns and ocean currents.

Other factors, like geothermal energy or moon phases, do not play a significant role in the formation of wind at a global scale. Geothermal energy primarily influences local geological processes, while moon phases mainly affect tidal patterns in oceans rather than atmospheric winds.