Starting with these equations:( V^ 2/R f V / n =0...gradient balance; f V / n =0

Question

Starting with these equations:( V^2/R fV  /n =0...gradient balance;fV/n =0...geostrophic balance;                                                        V^2/ R n =0...cyclostrophic balance; V^2/R fV =0...inertial balance)  

The gradient balance, do a sclae analysis to see which terms in the equation are the most important ones for a tornado. Assume a latitude of 35 degrees. Assume that the wind speed is ~40 m s^-1, the tornado radius, R, is~200m, and the pressure drop ~30 mb from the center to that radius:

Q: The Centripetal term( 1 significant fig ) is?

Q: The Coriolis term( 1 significant fig ) is?

Explanation / Answer

Starting with these equations:( V^2/R fV  /n =0...

gradient balance;fV/n =0...

geostrophic balance;      V^2/ R n =0...

cyclostrophic balance; V^2/R fV =0...inertial balance)  

The gradient balance, do a scale analysis to see which terms in the equation are the most important ones for a tornado.

The Geostrophic balance is the balance between the pressure gradient force and Coriolis force is the most important balance in the dynamics of tornado climate system. It gives the means to calculate wind speed and direction in pressure gradient. It gives that large scale atmospheric motion in the northern hemisphere airflow to the left of the observer and in southern atmosphere the air flow is to the right of the observer due low pressure.

Assume a latitude of 35 degrees. Assume that the wind speed is ~40 m s^-1, the tornado radius, R, is~200m, and the pressure drop ~30 mb from the center to that radius:

Q: The Centripetal term( 1 significant fig ) is?

Central petal force is the high pressure outside the core of tornado that pushes in on the air to make it circle. In the core of the tornado the lower pressure comes from air rising away from the ground and up into the storm. The lower pressure in the core is important because without it the vortex pulls itself apart.

Q: The Coriolis term( 1 significant fig ) is?

It is an inertial force that act on objects that are in motion relative to a rotating reference frame (tornado). In tornado the clockwise rotation, force acts to the left of the motion of object. In anti-clock rotation force acts to the right. In Tornado the violent rotate in air column spins in contact with surface and cloud.

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