Learning goal

After completion of this unit students will be able to

• Distinguish inertial and rotating coordinate systems
• Distinguish between trajectories and streamlines
• Explain fictitious forces and what they account for
• Use the concept of potential vorticity to explain and predict motions observed in the atmosphere
• Examine atmospheric motions in a rotating frame
• Extend the conservation of mass from zero-dimensional to four-dimensional considerations
• Identify regions of wind shear, convergence, divergence, confluence and diffluence, tilting, twisting, positive and negative vorticity in flows

Students’ Tasks

1. Watch this video
2. Participate in the discussion channel of this unit on the discussion board
3. Read chapter 6. to   6.3.2. (included) of Lectures in Meteorology
4. Relevant equations are the equation of motion and those related to the forces. Write them down as well as important parameters/constants as a permitted “cheat sheet” in the exam
5. Answer the questionnaire by 1500 AST the day before class.

You can find the powerpoint presentation at the link.

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