ATOC 5051, Spring 2010 — Notes & Calendar

ATOC 5051: Introduction to Physical Oceanography

Or, Notions for the Motions of the Oceans. This is a core course for graduate students covering the basic tools needed for oceanography. Observational, dynamical, numerical, and descriptive methods are discussed and used to get a sense of the historical and contemporary understanding of the motions of the oceans.

You can access the syllabus, proceedings, class notes, and reading.

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.