Rotating internal gravity-wave dispersion
For a resting continuously stratified incompressible Boussinesq fluid with constant stable N and constant f,linear plane-wave internal modes obey ω²=(N²k_h²+f²m²)/(k_h²+m²).
Key knowledge
For a resting continuously stratified incompressible Boussinesq fluid with constant stable N and constant f,linear plane-wave internal modes obey ω²=(N²k_h²+f²m²)/(k_h²+m²). Here k_h is horizontal wavenumber magnitude and m vertical wavenumber. With N>|f|,the oscillatory branch has frequency between |f| and N; boundary conditions can select discrete vertical modes.
Values and equations
ω²=(N²k_h²+f²m²)/(k_h²+m²)
- ω,N,f
- wave angular frequency,buoyancy frequency and Coriolis parameter s⁻¹
- k_h,m
- horizontal magnitude and vertical angular wavenumbers m⁻¹
Conditions and scope
- Small perturbations,smooth constant background coefficients,nonzero total wavenumber,inviscid and nondiffusive flow; the expression retains vertical acceleration rather than imposing the hydrostatic approximation.
- VariableN(z),shear,critical levels,nonlinearity and boundary geometry need eigenfunctions or broader wave models. Energy propagation can differ from phase propagation; the formula does not itself determine mixing rates.
Sources · 1
References
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Evidence and review
Read actual constant-N solution and equation9.5 dispersion plus boundary-mode qualification. Generalized its one horizontal component to k_h by horizontal rotational symmetry and checked the weighted-frequency bounds. No whole-chapter turbulence/spectral model validation or universal diffusivity adopted.
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Entry details
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