Beta plane: Difference between revisions

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<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">The [[model]], introduced by C. G. Rossby, of the spherical earth as a plane with a rate  of rotation ''f'' (corresponding to the [[Coriolis parameter]]) that varies linearly with the north&ndash;south  direction y:    <div class="display-formula"><blockquote>[[File:ams2001glos-Be16.gif|link=|center|ams2001glos-Be16]]</blockquote></div>  </div><br/><div class="paragraph">The constant &#x003b2; (the [[Rossby parameter]]) is given its value at a central latitude on the spherical  earth, (2&#x003a9; cos&#x003c6;<sub>0</sub>)/''a'', where &#x003a9; is the angular speed of the earth and ''a'' its mean radius. Used chiefly  in association with the [[vorticity equation]], this [[model]] is usually accompanied by the assumption  that the Coriolis parameter is constant, ''f'' = ''f''<sub>0</sub>, when it appears in undifferentiated form. Although  it applies precisely to no physical situation, this model has gained wide acceptance in [[dynamic  meteorology]].</div><br/> </div>
<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">The [[model]], introduced by C. G. Rossby, of the spherical earth as a plane with a rate  of rotation ''f'' (corresponding to the [[Coriolis parameter]]) that varies linearly with the north&ndash;south  direction y:    <div class="display-formula"><blockquote>[[File:ams2001glos-Be16.gif|link=|center|ams2001glos-Be16]]</blockquote></div>  </div><br/><div class="paragraph">The constant &#x003b2; (the [[Rossby parameter]]) is given its value at a central latitude on the spherical  earth, (2&#x003a9; cos&#x003c6;<sub>0</sub>)/''a'', where &#x003a9; is the angular speed of the earth and ''a'' its mean radius. Used chiefly  in association with the [[vorticity equation]], this [[model]] is usually accompanied by the assumption  that the Coriolis parameter is constant, ''f'' = ''f''<sub>0</sub>, when it appears in undifferentiated form. Although  it applies precisely to no physical situation, this model has gained wide acceptance in [[dynamic meteorology|dynamic  meteorology]].</div><br/> </div>
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Revision as of 16:29, 25 April 2012



beta plane

The model, introduced by C. G. Rossby, of the spherical earth as a plane with a rate of rotation f (corresponding to the Coriolis parameter) that varies linearly with the north–south direction y:
ams2001glos-Be16

The constant β (the Rossby parameter) is given its value at a central latitude on the spherical earth, (2Ω cosφ0)/a, where Ω is the angular speed of the earth and a its mean radius. Used chiefly in association with the vorticity equation, this model is usually accompanied by the assumption that the Coriolis parameter is constant, f = f0, when it appears in undifferentiated form. Although it applies precisely to no physical situation, this model has gained wide acceptance in dynamic meteorology.


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