Physical Oceanography

Question 1

Mass (volume) conservation / continuity equation

Answer 1

Del operator * u = du/dx + dv/dy + dw/dz = 0

Question 2

potential vorticity equation

Answer 2

PV = (rel. vort. + planetary vort. ) / water column height PV = (zeta + f ) / H

Question 3

Is positive/negative vorticity CW or CCW?

Answer 3

Positive vorticity is CCW Negative vorticity is CW

Question 4

Hydrostatic balance (equation)

Answer 4

dP/dz = - rho*g

Change in pressure with depth = (-) density * gravity

Question 5

Geostrophic balance (equation)

Answer 5

• fv = - (1 / rho(naut) ) * dP/dx

Question 6

Geostrophic balance requires that the _____ balance the _____.

Answer 6

Coriolis force, horizontal pressure gradient.

Question 8

Describe the thermal wind balance

Answer 8

Horizontal density gradients lead to a vertical shear in horizontal velocities. In the Northern hemisphere, a northward increase in density implies that the eastward component of geostrophic flow becomes stronger towards the surface, while an eastward increase in density implies that southward component of geostrophic flow becomes stronger towards the surface.

Question 9

Thermal wind balance in the x direction (equation).

If d rho / dx is negative what is the sign of the velocity shear?

How is the thermal wind balance equation in the y direction different?

Answer 9

dv/dz = - ( g / rho(naut) ) * d rho / d x

If d rho / dx is negative, then dv/dz is positive. Increasing with positive z.

The y direction equation does not have a negative sign.