Nonconservation of Ertel Potential Vorticity in Hydrogen Atmospheres.

Details Nonconservation of Ertel Potential Vorticity in Hydrogen Atmospheres. Nonconservation of Ertel Potential Vorticity in Hydrogen Atmospheres.

Aug 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004jats...61.1953g&link_type=abstract

Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, vol. 61, Issue 15, pp.1953-1965

Computer Science

3

Scientific paper

The compositions of the atmospheres of the outer planets are dominated by molecular hydrogen. The hydrogen ortho and para forms (proton spins parallel and antiparallel) are observed to have ratios that are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, with spatial variations, probably due to vertical motions that transport fluid from a different temperature regime. Conversion between the two forms produces significant “latent heat” release, but conversion is thought to be so slow that this heating is extremely small. Because the two forms of hydrogen have different specific heats and their abundance ratio is spatially variable, Ertel's potential vorticity is not conserved, even in the adiabatic and frictionless limit. In this paper the degree of nonconservation is assessed by scale analysis, for typical observed ortho para inhomogeneity. A numerical example similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot is presented. Analysis is restricted to large-scale motions in the stable upper tropospheres of the planets, where the quasigeostrophic approximation applies. A major result is that a generalization of quasigeostrophic potential vorticity is still conserved, and that the para fraction is merely an inert tracer in this regime. The Ertel isentropic potential vorticity is not conserved, even to leading order, except in special regions where the ortho para ratio is exceptionally homogeneous.

---

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Nonconservation of Ertel Potential Vorticity in Hydrogen Atmospheres. does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Nonconservation of Ertel Potential Vorticity in Hydrogen Atmospheres., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nonconservation of Ertel Potential Vorticity in Hydrogen Atmospheres. will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1088496