Physical Oceanography
Problem Set 3
Due Sep 21, 2011
Part 1. A parcel of fluid is raised from the middle of layer 2 to 30 meters
above the interface between layers 1 and 2, and then released. (Each
layer is 50 m thick)
layer 1, density = 1022
layer 2 density = 1026
layer 3 density = 1029
a) How fast is the parcel moving when it reaches the bottom of layer 2?
b) How far does the parcel sink in layer 3?
c) How far up does the parcel then go?
Part 2. Using the temperature section in Problem Set 1 (Part 3), calculate
the stability E at 200 m depth at both 110 W and 160 E longitudes. If a
fluid parcel is raised 50 meters above 200 m at both longitudes and then
released, how long will it take the parcel to return to it’s starting point?
Assume salinity is constant, effects of pressure changes are negligible,
and that the density varies continuously and linearly with depth.