|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| A '''temperature gradient''' is a [[physical quantity]] that describes in which direction and at what rate the [[temperature]] changes the most rapidly around a particular location. The temperature gradient is a [[Dimensional analysis|dimensional quantity]] expressed in [[Units of measurement|units]] of degrees (on a particular temperature scale) per unit length. The [[International System of Units|SI]] unit is [[kelvin]] per meter (K/m).
| | Greetings! I am Marvella and I really feel comfy when individuals use the complete name. Body developing is what my family and I enjoy. Managing people has been his day job for a whilst. South Dakota is her beginning location but she requirements to move simply because of her family members.<br><br>Look at my web site [http://www.myprgenie.com/view-publication/weight-loss-tips-that-will-reduce-your-waistline healthy meals delivered] |
| | |
| Temperature gradients in the [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] are important in the atmospheric sciences ([[meteorology]], [[climatology]] and related fields).
| |
| | |
| == Mathematical description ==
| |
| Assuming that the temperature ''T'' is an [[intensive quantity]], i.e., a single-valued, [[Continuous function|continuous]] and [[Derivative|differentiable]] [[Function (mathematics)|function]] of three-dimensional space (often called a [[scalar field]]), i.e., that
| |
| | |
| :<math>T=T(x,y,z)</math>
| |
| | |
| where ''x'', ''y'' and ''z'' are the [[Cartesian coordinate system|coordinates]] of the location of interest, then the temperature gradient is the [[vector (geometric)|vector]] quantity defined as
| |
| | |
| :<math>
| |
| \nabla T = \begin{pmatrix}
| |
| {\frac{\partial T}{\partial x}},
| |
| {\frac{\partial T}{\partial y}},
| |
| {\frac{\partial T}{\partial z}}
| |
| \end{pmatrix}</math>
| |
| ...
| |
| | |
| == Weather and climate relevance ==
| |
| Differences in air temperature between different locations are critical in weather forecasting and climate. The absorption of solar light at or near the planetary surface increases the temperature gradient and may result in [[convection]] (a major process of [[cloud]] formation, often associated with [[Precipitation_(meteorology)|precipitation]]). Similarly, on a global and annual basis, the dynamics of the atmosphere (and the oceans) can be understood as attempting to reduce the large difference of temperature between the [[Geographical pole|poles]] and the equator by redistributing masses of warm and cold air (and water).
| |
| | |
| [[Surface weather analysis|Meteorological fronts]] are regions where the horizontal temperature gradient may reach relatively high values, as these are boundaries between [[Air mass|air masses]] with rather distinct properties.
| |
| | |
| Clearly, the temperature gradient may change substantially in time, as a result of diurnal or seasonal heating and cooling for instance. This most likely happens during an [[inversion]]. For instance, during the day the temperature at [[Lithosphere|ground level]] may be cold while it's warmer up in the atmosphere. As the day shifts over to night the temperature might drop rapidly while at other places on the land stay warmer or cooler at the same [[elevation]]. This happens on the [[West Coast of the United States|west coast USA]] sometimes due to geographical settings.
| |
| | |
| == Day to day experiences and health issues ==
| |
| Other places where noticeable temperature gradients can be experienced include the entrance (or exits) of air conditioned shops in the summer, or the entrance of caves and other protected or poorly ventilated areas.
| |
| | |
| Rapid changes in temperature (in space or time) may cause discomfort and, in extreme cases, heat or cold stresses.
| |
| | |
| == Indoor temperature ==
| |
| {{Main|Thermal destratification in buildings}}
| |
| | |
| == See also ==
| |
| * [[Gradient]]
| |
| * [[Adiabatic lapse rate]]
| |
| | |
| == References ==
| |
| * Edward N. Lorenz (1967) ''The nature and theory of the general circulation of atmosphere'', World Meteorological Organization, Publication No. 218, Geneva, Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web|title=The nature and theory of the general circulation of the atmosphere|url=http://www.amazon.com/nature-theory-general-circulation-atmosphere/dp/B0006CHWHG|publisher=by [[Amazon.com]]}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| * M. I. Budyko (1978) ''Climate and Life'', Academic Press, International Geophysics Series, Volume '''18''', ISBN 0-12-139450-6.<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate and life|url=http://www.amazon.com/Climate-life-M-I-Budyko/dp/B007EQH7HW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357103904&sr=1-1|publisher=by [[Amazon.com]]}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| * Robert G. Fleagle and Joost A. Businger (1980) ''An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics'', Second Edition, Academic Press, International Geophysics Series, Volume '''25''', ISBN 0-12-260355-9.<ref>{{cite web|title=An introduction to atmospheric physics|url=http://books.google.com/books/about/An_introduction_to_atmospheric_physics.html?id=6oIuAAAAIAAJ|publisher=by [[Amazon.com]]}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| * David Miller (1981) ''Energy at the Surface of the Earth: An Introduction to the Energetics of Ecosystems'', Academic Press, International Geophysics Series, Volume '''29'''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Energy at the Surface of the Earth: An Introduction to the Energetics of Ecosystems|url=http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Surface-Earth-Introduction-International/dp/0124971504/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357104289&sr=1-1&keywords=Energy+at+the+Surface+of+the+Earth%2C+David+H+Miller|publisher=by [[Amazon.com]]}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| * John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs (2006) ''Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey'', Second Edition, Academic Press, International Geophysics Series, ISBN 0-12-732951-X.<ref>{{cite web|title=Atmospheric Science, Second Edition: An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics)|url=http://www.amazon.com/Atmospheric-Science-Second-Introductory-International/dp/012732951X|publisher=by [[Amazon.com]]}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| <references />
| |
| | |
| ==External links==
| |
| | |
| * [http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/index.htm IPCC Third Assessment Report]
| |
| | |
| [[Category:Atmospheric dynamics]]
| |
| [[Category:Climatology]]
| |
Greetings! I am Marvella and I really feel comfy when individuals use the complete name. Body developing is what my family and I enjoy. Managing people has been his day job for a whilst. South Dakota is her beginning location but she requirements to move simply because of her family members.
Look at my web site healthy meals delivered