Machine-translated by Google. Questions are authored in English.
Top

Discussion

Which operation recovers the wind and temperature from the potential vorticity field?

  • A.Fourier transformation followed by multiplication by the appropriate dispersion relation for each mode
  • B.Inversion of an elliptic operator
  • C.Integration upward from a lower boundary condition applied at the surface of the Earth beneath it
  • D.Differentiation along the flow

Answer: B

Given boundary conditions, solving the elliptic equation that defines QG potential vorticity yields the geopotential everywhere, and from that the geostrophic wind and the temperature follow immediately. This is the invertibility principle. Because the operator is elliptic the solution depends on the potential vorticity throughout the domain, which is why a compact anomaly influences the flow at a distance. Reading the definition literally, rather than recalling a formula, is the reliable route through questions of this shape.

No comment is present. Be the first to comment.
Loading…

Post your comment

Please log in or register to post a comment.