ATOC5051, Spring 2010

Intro to Physical Oceanography, or Notions for the Motions of the Oceans

Reading Assignment 4

This reading assignment introduces the geostrophic balance between Coriolis and pressure gradient forces.

1. Geoff Vallis's Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics, Chapters 2.8-2.9, and 3.1.
2. Cushman-Roisin and Beckers's Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Chapter 7.1-7.5.
3. Rotating Flow Movie (Needs Realplayer).

The reading quiz is due by class time. It can be accessed through CULearn.

Optional additional reading may be useful for the assignment:

1. Pressure Fields and Fluid Acceleration Movie (Needs Realplayer).
2. Joe Pedlosky's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Chapters 1, 2.
3. Chapter 10 of Robert H. Stewart's Introduction to Physical Oceanography an alternative discussion of geostrophy.