| Terms |
Definitions |
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What is R?
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Radius
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What is (ζ+f)(∂u/∂x+∂v/∂y)?
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Stretching term
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When is vorticity positive?
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Cyclonic motions
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When is vorticity negative?
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Anticyclonic motions
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What is ∂ζ/∂t
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Local vorticity tendency
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What is c?
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The phase speed
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What does rising motion lead to?
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Cooling
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What is the strongest curvature called?
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Vorticity
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Where is vorticity minimum?
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In a ridge
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What is ∂w/∂x ∂v/∂z-∂w/∂y ∂u/∂z?
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Tilting term
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How many forces in the geopotential tendency and omega equations have physical processes that produce rising motions or height changes?
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4
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What chart shows the trough/ridge pattern?
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500 mb
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What is βv?
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Advection of planetary (earth's) vorticity
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What is w ∂ζ/∂z?
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Vertical advection of vorticity
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What order of magnitude is f?
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10^-4 s^-1
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What is the formula for relative vorticity?
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ζ=∂v/∂x-∂u/∂y
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What is u ∂ζ/∂x+v ∂ζ/∂y?
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Horizontal advection of vorticity
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What is the relationship between wave number and wavelength?
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k= 2π/L_x
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What is 1/ρ^2 (∂ρ/∂x ∂p/∂y-∂ρ/∂y ∂p/∂x)?
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Solenoidal or baroclinic term
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What is vorticity?
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Circulation per unit area, 2V/R=2ω, or 2Ωsinϕ
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What processes lead to vertical motion on the synoptic scale?
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The omega equation
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What quantity is held constant for the ridge/trough pattern to be true?
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Absolute vorticity
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What is Rossby's dispersion relationship?
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Different wavelengths travel at different speeds. c=u ̅-(βL_x^2)/〖4π〗^2
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What is the earth's vorticity?
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2Ωsinϕ=f (the coriolis parameter). Varies from zero at the equator to 2Ω at the north pole. f is 10^-4 s^-1
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What is the area if the body is circular?
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πR^2
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What is the net radiative heating rate?
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-1.5 °C per day
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What does the tilting term do?
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Helps explains how thunderstorms develop.
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What causes the heights to change over time?
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The geopotential tendency equation
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Relative to the storm, where are the winds?
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From south to north
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What terms have a synoptic scale motion equal to 10^-11?
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Vertical advection of vorticity, tilting term, and baroclinic term.
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What four equations make up the Quasi- Geostrophic Theory?
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Hydrostatic equation, mass continuity equation (incompressible form), vorticity equation, and thermodynamic energy equation (first law)
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How is vorticity defined?
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A property of a fluid and is defined at every point in the fluid much the same as temperature and density for example.
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What is a barotropic atmosphere?
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An atmosphere where there is no change in geostrophic wind with height. The temperature is constant on a constant pressure surface.
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What is the e-folding time?
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The time taken for the vorticity to increase by a factor of e (or 2.7).
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Why are Rossby waves dispersive waves?
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Because of the β effect. If β=0, then the earth is flat. If β is non zero, the earth is a sphere and makes the waves dispersive instead of going at the same phase speed.
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Where is divergence located in the upper troposphere?
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The flow between the trough and downstream ridge.
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What are the four assumptions made for the Quasi-Geostrophic Theory?
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1. Vertical advection is small when compared to the horizontal advection.
2. f >> ζ in the stretching term
3. Advection by geostrophic wind
4. Stretching term f=fo, but not in advection term
5. The vorticity is geostrophic
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Where is convergence located in the upper troposphere?
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The flow between the trough and the upstream ridge.
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What two equations do we use to solve for ω and χ simultaneously?
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The first law of thermodynamics and the vorticity equation
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