Hydrodynamics of Oceans and Atmospheres

Book excerpt: Hydrodynamics of Oceans and Atmospheres is a systematic account of the hydrodynamics of oceans and atmospheres. Topics covered range from the thermodynamic functions of an ideal gas and the thermodynamic coefficients for water to steady motions, the isothermal atmosphere, the thermocline, and the thermosphere. Perturbation equations, field equations, residual equations, and a general theory of rays are also presented. This book is comprised of 17 chapters and begins with an introduction to the basic equations and their solutions, with the aim of illustrating the laws of dynamics. The nonlinear equations of thermodynamics and hydrodynamics are analyzed using the methods of perturbation theory, with emphasis on the zero-order solution; zero-order states of an ideal gas; the first-order equations; the additive barotropic terms; and boundary conditions. The following chapters focus on the steady component of atmospheric pressure; free steady motion with or without rotation; field equations and general theorems relating to such equations; and the stratification of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and lakes. The next two chapters present calculations concerning the isothermal atmosphere, with particular reference to plane level surfaces with or without rotation. The final chapter looks at spherical level surfaces with rotation. This monograph will be of interest to physicists, oceanographers, atmospheric scientists, and meteorologists.