FLOW INTERACTION WITH TOPOGRAPHY - IMPORTANT CONCEPTS AND QUESTIONS

  1. Physically and mathematically, what is the Froude number?
  2. How can the Froude number be used to assess the interaction of flow with topography?
  3. Under what conditions will flow be blocked by topography? Why will the flow turn "down gradient for two-dimensional barriers?
  4. What happens to blocked flow with an isolated barrier?
  5. What is a standing wave?
  6. What three factors affect how the flow interacts with topography?
  7. What affects the frequency, wavelength, and amplitude of a mountain wave?
  8. What Froude number(s) will result in mountain waves?
  9. What Froude number(s) will result in blocked flow?
  10. What happens when Fr >> 1?
  11. What is a critical level? How do they form? Why are they important?
  12. Under what conditions would you observe:

Your answer to this question should involve the Froude Number, critical levels, inversions, and the vertical profile of winds.