Final answer:
Geostrophic winds are governed by the balance of the coriolis force and the pressure gradient force.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geostrophic winds are governed by the balance of two forces: the coriolis force and the pressure gradient force.
The coriolis force is an apparent force that results from the rotation of the Earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, it deflects moving objects to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it deflects them to the left.
The pressure gradient force is the force that arises due to variations in atmospheric pressure. It acts from regions of higher pressure to lower pressure, causing air to move. It operates perpendicular to the isobars, which are lines connecting places of equal pressure on a weather map.