Problem Set 5

1. The simplest model for discussing equatorial dynamics is the hydrostatic divergent barotropic
model, that is, an incompressible fluid layer of constant density with a free surface. The
linearized form of the equations of motion and mass continuity are
u

fv =
t
x
v

+ fu =
t
y

u v

+ c2 + = 0
x y
t
where c = gH is speed of the gravity wave, is the geopotential and (u, v) are the
components of horizontal velocity along the zonal (x) and meridional (y) directions. Set the
Coriolis parameter f = y and define the characteristic scales of length (L) and time (T) as
L = (c / ) ;
T = (1 / c ) .
Find the nondimensional form of the equations of motion and mass continuity using the above
defined scales of length and time and also by defining appropriate characteristic scales for u , v
and .

2. The solution of boundary value problem P1 over the heat source region (L < x < L) is obtained
by resolving the ordinary differential equation (ODE)
dq0
L< x < L
+ q0 = cos kx
dx
subject to the boundary conditions
dq0
q0 = 0 at x = L
and
+ q0 = 0 at x = L
dx
Differentiate the ODE with respect to x on both sides and show that the result is the following
second-order differential equation for the region L < x < L

d 2 q0
2 q0 = coskx + k sin kx .
2
dx
Solve the 2nd order equation with the boundary conditions at x = L and x = L . Could you
analyse the nature of boundary conditions and the type of boundary-value problem for the 2nd
order differential equation.
3. Tropical intraseasonal oscillation also known as MJO encompasses a convective region of the
order of 6000-9000 km with upward motion but it travels eastward and clearly observed in the
Indian Ocean, western and eastern Pacific Ocean where SSTs are warmer than in other regions.
The MJO can thus be perceived as a travelling heat source at a constant speed C0 . Using the
same characteristic scales of time and length and dependent variable as in Q.No.1, derive the
following general form of the shallow water equations in the nondimensional form,

u
u
u
p
+ u + v fv =
t
x
y
x
1

v
v
v
p
+ u + v + fu =
t
x
y
y
p
p
p u v
+ u + v + ( + ) = Q
t
x
y x y
u v
w =
+
x y
The generalization of the Gills problem can be introduced by assuming that the heat source
moves with the speed C0 . The mathematical problem is formulated in the moving coordinate
fame with velocity C0 . Show that the linearized form of the relevant equation obtained from the
above set of equations is as follows:
u
1
p
C0
+ (u + C0 ) yv =
x
2
x
1
p
y(u + C0 ) =
2
y
p
u v
C0
+ p + ( + ) = Q
x
x y
u v
w = ( + )
x y
Write q = p + (u + C0 ) and r = p (u + C0 ) ; and obtain the governing equations for q and r .
One can solve the resulting equations in terms of the parabolic cylinder function as in the Gills
problem. (Note: The solution does not give the maximum speed at 40-50 day, hence it is not a
suitable model of MJO)
4. Obtain by the method of integrating factor the solution the following governing equations
(Yamagata & Hayashi model)
dq0
L< x < L
+ * q0 = cos kx
dx
dq0
x L
+ * q0 = 0
dx
with the periodic boundary conditions q0 (x) = q0 (x + D) , D is the perimeter of the circular
domain.
5. Draw the vertical circulation for the heat low that develops over West India Pakistan prior to the
onset of summer monsoon. As opposed to a dynamic low, the heat low has convergence at the
surface and in the upper atmosphere, and divergence at the top of the boundary layer (~850 mb).
6. Consider an atmosphere, which is initially devoid of motion and air masses are arranged in
barotropically-stratified layers so that isobars (layers of constant pressure p) coincide with the
isentropes (layers of constant potential temperature ). Under adiabatic conditions, air parcels
move along surfaces of constant . Since p decreases vertically (i.e. stable for vertical motion),
and there are no horizontal variations of p, the fluid is motionless although potential energy is
large. That is, the potential energy is not at all available for conversion to kinetic energy. In
meteorology, the sum of internal energy and potential energy is called the total potential energy
(TPE); in other words, TPE (E=EI +EP) is the total enthalpy of an atmospheric column of unit
area extending from surface to top of the atmosphere. An amount of total potential energy that is
2

available for conversion to kinetic energy through adiabatic processes is called the available
potential energy (APE), a concept introduced by E.N. Lorenz in 1955.
The concept is further made clear with an example. If the stably stratified atmosphere is heated in
a specific region, it will disturb stratification due to increase in TPE there, and horizontal density
gradients will develop which will generate pressure forces to convert TPE in to kinetic energy.
Similarly if a limited region is cooled, then TPE will reduce but the stratification is disturbed and
again conversion of TPE to kinetic energy is possible. Note that in the following part of the
question, T represent temperature, Cv and Cp are the specific heats of air at constant volume and
pressure respectively; R is the gas constant and g is the acceleration due to gravity.
With the above description, answer the following questions.
(i)
At an altitude z, the energy dE of an element of an air column extending from the surface
(z = 0) to a height z = h consists of two parts: internal energy dEI = CvT and potential
energy dEP = gz . Let the pressure at the surface be p0 and that at z = h be ph . Since the
mass of the element is dp / g , the TPE of the atmospheric column reads
ph

p0

p0

1
1
E = EI + EP = (CvT + gz)dp = CvT dp + z dp .
g p0
g ph
ph
p0

p0

0
1
1
Show that EP = z dp = ph h + RT dp ; and E = C pT dp as ph 0 , i.e. choosing
g ph
g0
ph

(ii)

the column height sufficiently large so that ph 0 . [Hint: use integration by part for Ep]
Ep Cp
Show that the ratio
=
1 0.4
E I Cv

(iii) The APE is the difference between the TPE of a given state of the atmosphere and the TPE
of a state of uniform stratification, which is statically stable (i.e. having stable lapse rate d )
and obtained by redistribution of atmospheric mass by adiabatic processes. Note that APE is
zero for a statically stable atmosphere in a state of uniform stratification. Further, in any
redistribution of atmospheric mass under adiabatic flow, the potential temperature is
conserved. Consider the atmosphere divided up into constant surfaces such that each
surface cuts the vertical column of unit surface area only once. The potential temperature
surface may be imagined to follow along the ground, if =constant surface intersects it.
Also note that for a uniform and stable stratification state of the atmosphere, the isentropes
are horizontal and increases with height.
p0

1
(a) Write the integral, E = C pT dp in terms of potential temperature
g0

using

p Cp
= T 0 and integrate the resulting integral by parts to show that
p
1+

Cp
R
1+
p
E=
p
d

; =
0

(1+ )gp0 0
Cp

where = 0 at p = p0 and as p 0 .

1+

(b) The term 0 p0 in (iii) can be included in the integral by replacing the lower limit with
= 0 of the integral in the expression of E if we define p = p0 for all < 0 . Then the
TPE of the column becomes

Cp
E=
p1+ d

(1+ )gp0 0
The TPE for the whole atmosphere is given as

Cp
(per unit area of surface)
E1 =
p1+ d
(1+ )gp0 0
and TPE of a uniformly stratified and stable atmosphere is given as

Cp
(per unit area of surface)
E2 =
( p)1+ d

(1+ )gp0 0
Given E1 and E2 as above, what is the expression for available potential energy EA .
Further, 1+ > 1 and p1+ > ( p)1+ for p > p find out whether EA is positive or negative.
Also comment when EA = 0 .
(c) In the expression of EA that was obtained in (iv), substitute p = p + p' and expand p1+
using the binomial theorem to the first term only, then show that the resultant expression
of EA reads as

EA =

( p)1+ d

p
2d p0 0
2