Convergence And Divergence Flashcards
What is Convergence?
The impact of friction causes air to flow to areas of low pressure (2 air streams meet)
What is Divergence?
Outward flow from an area of high pressure
What type of motion is associated with surface convergence?
Upwards motion
What type of motion is associated with surface divergence?
Downwards motion
What is Vorticity?
Spin in the Earth’s system resulting from curving flows and shearing flows
What is Positive Vorticity?
Vorticity in the same sense of the Earth = Cyclonic (low pressure and convergence)
What is Negative Vorticity?
Vorticity in the opposite sense to the Earth - Anticylonic (high pressure and divergence)
What are the weather conditions associated with surface convergence?
Clouds and Rain
What are the weather conditions associated with surface divergence?
Clear Skies
What is Absolute Vorticity?
A conservative property that remains constant. It looks at the the total spin of the Earth and considers vorticity of the Earth and the relative vorticity of air/water
What does dv/dy represent ?
Changes to velocity in the Y direction (as V increases, Y increases)
What does du/dx represent?
Changes to velocity in the X direction (as U increases (u is velocity), X increases)
What is the formula for divergence?
du/dx + dv/dy
What is the continuity of mass formula?
du/dx + dv/dy + dw/dz = 0
where dw/dz considers height
What is the Continuity Equation?
du/dx + dv/dy = -dw/dz (downwards motion, the opposite would represent convergence and upward motion)
