MT5809: Advanced Fluid Dynamics

J.N. Reinaud

School of Mathematics and StatisticsUniversity of St Andrews

MT5809 2/10

Essential facts

• Lectures: 11am, room 3B — Mondays (odd), Wednesdays & Fridays.

• Tutorials: Once a week, starting week 2.

• Assessment: 2.5h examination (100% of the course assessment).

• Material:

⊲ Essential material: Hand-outs & http://www-vortex.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/∼jean/MT5809.html

⊲ Further reading: on short loan at the Maths/Phys library

∗ Vallis, G.K. Atmospheric and ocean fluid dynamics: fundamentals and large-scale circula-tion.

∗ Gill, A.E. Atmosphere-ocean dynamics.∗ Pedlosky, J. Geophysical fluid dynamics.

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MT5809 3/10

Module objectives : Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

Vortices (atmospheric cyclone) Waves (in the atmosphere)

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MT5809 4/10

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MT5809 5/10

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MT5809 6/10

Module objectives : Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

Jets &Vortices (Gulf stream) Waves (inside the ocean)

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MT5809 7/10

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MT5809 8/10

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MT5809 9/10

“Geo”physical Fluid Dynamics... not only from this Earth

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MT5809 10/10

Syllabus

• Overall Aim: Examine how the two basic effects of rotation and density stratification con-trol large-scale fluid flows in Nature (e.g. the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, and otherplanetary atmospheres).

• This builds on basic fluid dynamics — in particular inviscid (inertia-dominated) and incom-pressible (quiet!) fluid dynamics.

• We’ll start simple and then consider the effects of

⊲ rotation,

⊲ density stratification,

⊲ rotation AND density stratification combined.

• We’ll learn about inertial waves, internal waves, inertia-gravity waves, Rossby waves, balance,potential vorticity, coherent structures, jets.

• This course offers an opportunity to apply a variety of mathematical skills acquired overthe past three years to an important, topical and interesting research area.

• This will help you to appreciate the complexity of geophysical fluid dynamics and the greatchallenge in predicting weather, ocean currents and climate change.

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