METR 2413 - Homework 8

Date assigned: 22 March, 2004
Date due: 31 March, 2004

1. Calculate the geostrophic wind speed in meters per second for a pressure gradient of 1 hPa/100 km at latitudes 70°, 45° and 10°N.










2. Jupiter rotates once every 9.9 hours. Is the coriolis force (per unit mass) at a given latitude on Jupiter larger or smaller than that on Earth? By how much is it larger or smaller?










3. Since the Coriolis force tends to deflect moving air parcels to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, why do the winds around a cyclone turn to the left (i.e., turn anticlockwise)? Briefly explain.








4. Draw a simple diagram showing the balance between the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force for flow around a cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere and use this to explain why cyclonic flow in the Southern Hemisphere is in the clockwise direction.