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Explore the factors and mechanisms driving the circulation of the atmosphere, from Newton's Law to the differential heating between the equator and poles. Learn about air pressure, Coriolis force, and how these influence the motion of fluid particles in the ocean and atmosphere.
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Circulation in the Atmosphere Circulation in the atmosphere
Newton’s Law What regulates the motion of fluid particles in the ocean and atmosphere?
Differential Heating From Equators to Poles
troposphere surface Higher Latitudes Equator/Tropics What drives the circulation of the atmosphere? Heating by the sun AIR PRESSURE
Vertical view of air pressure (global convection) High Pressure Low Pressure Low Pressure
Horizontal view of air pressure at ocean surface High Pressure + Higher Latitudes Surfaces of constant pressure y (latitude) x (longitude) _ Equator/Tropics Low Pressure
v Newton’s Law y (latitude) x (longitude) u Motion across Latitudes Motion along Latitude
Hurricane IVAN H H L H H
t3 t4 t2 t5 t1 Rate of Rotation North Hemisphere Low Pressure B A Fpressure High Pressure FCoriolis
t3 t4 t2 t5 t1 Rate of Rotation North Hemisphere A B High Pressure Low Pressure Fpressure FCoriolis
Fpressure FCoriolis FCoriolis Fpressure Fpressure FCoriolis Fpressure FCoriolis When this balance is reached the movement of the particles (and therefore of the flow) is called geostrophic motion
v Newton’s Law y (latitude) x (longitude) u Motion across Latitudes Motion along Latitude
Some practical rules to remember: Fpressure Low Pressure High Pressure FCoriolis • Particle will have the Coriolis force 90 degrees to the right • Particles will tend to move along line of constant pressure • Particles will have the high pressure on their right (same as Coriolis)
Hurricane IVAN H H L Fpressure H H FCoriolis
Vortices L H Fpressure FCoriolis FCoriolis Fpressure Low Pressure System High Pressure System
Non rotating view of Atmospheric Circulation High Pressure Low Pressure
Schematic depiction of the development of the atmospheric circulation,starting from a state of rest Easterlies (Trades) Westerlies Redistribution of Heat – Large scale convective Cells
Schematic depiction of the development of the atmospheric circulation,starting from a state of rest Easterlies (Trades) Westerlies
Vertical view of the atmosphere Pole Equator
Polar High L L Subpolar Low H H H Subtropical High L Eq. Low L L H H H L L
Vertical view of the atmosphere and Poleward Transport of Heat Pole Equator
Differential Heating From Equators to Poles
Next time we will see how the ocean responds to the atmospheric wind and how it contributes to the heat transport