Which factor is primarily responsible for preventing direct air flow from high to low-pressure regions?

The Coriolis force is primarily responsible for altering the direction of air flow and preventing it from moving directly from high-pressure to low-pressure regions. This effect arises due to the rotation of the Earth and affects moving air by causing it to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. As air begins to move from areas of high pressure towards areas of low pressure, the Coriolis force acts on it, causing the flow to spiral rather than move in a straight line. This is crucial for understanding wind patterns and how they are shaped by the Earth's rotation.

Surface friction influences wind speed and direction near the Earth’s surface, but it is not the primary factor in preventing direct flow. The pressure gradient force drives the air from high to low pressure, while temperature inversions primarily affect vertical movement in the atmosphere. Thus, the Coriolis force plays a central role in the overall dynamics of wind patterns, illustrating how movement is influenced by Earth's rotation.