A&O SCI M105 Lecture 5: Lecture 5
28 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Difference in density and difference in depth extension as a ratio should be larger than zero to be stable. Density of bottom must be higher than top water mass (heavier at bottom and lighter on top) Extension of bottom layer should be larger than top layer (bottom layer thicker than top layer) Mixing of two water masses are inhibited. Unstable: top layer is heavier than bottom layer. Mixing of two water masses happen spontaneously. Neutral: mixing would be easy between water masses: temperature warmer at top layer and colder for bottom layer. Illustration from the atmosphere: if we compress=volume decreases=temperature is warmer. Potential temperature and density: used in ocean models when oceanographers want to understand water movements, potential temperature: theoretical temperature that water parcel would have if you bring it from depth to surface. Potential temperature would be cooler: potential density: bring parcel up from depth to surface.
