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Which observation supports treating the outer flow of a vortex as irrotational?

  • A.The vorticity is uniform
  • B.The circulation around a loop enclosing the core is the same whatever radius the loop is drawn at
  • C.The tangential wind falls off close to inversely with radius
  • D.The pressure at the centre is far lower than that in the surrounding environment at the same level

Answer: C

An inverse radius profile is the signature of irrotational flow, and it is observed in the outer parts of tornadoes and hurricanes. The final option is in fact an equivalent statement, since constant circulation with radius is exactly what zero vorticity outside the core implies, so it is a consequence rather than independent evidence. The pressure deficit follows from the balance and says nothing about the radial profile. Naming the cost of a choice alongside its benefit is what turns a fact into a design decision.

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