ISSN:
1420-9136
Keywords:
Wave mean-flow interaction
;
Non-acceleration theorems
;
Wave action
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The generalized Lagrangian-mean description is motivated and illustrated by means of some simple examples of interactions between waves and mean flows, confining attention for the most part to waves of infinitesimal amplitude. The direct manner in which the theoretical description leads to the wave-action concept and related results, and also to the various ‘noninteraction’ theorems, more accuratelynon-acceleration theorems, is brought out as simply as possible. Variational formulations are not needed in the analysis, which uses elementary principles only. The significance of the generalized Eliassen-Palm relations as conservation equations for wave activity is discussed briefly, as is the significance of the temporal nonuniformity of the generalized Lagrangian-mean description for dissipating disturbances.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01586449
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