What Are the Key Characteristics of Inertial Waves in Uniform Rotation?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the characteristics of inertial waves in a uniformly rotating fluid, specifically addressing the velocity field expression, vorticity, and the effects of small perturbations. The perturbation is modeled as a plane harmonic wave, and the conditions under which nonlinear terms become negligible are derived. The linearized momentum equation is utilized to establish the dispersion relation ω = ω(k), and the polarization, dispersive nature, and group velocity of the inertial waves are analyzed. Key findings indicate that these waves are dispersive and anisotropic, with the group velocity direction being critical in relation to the wavenumber vector.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics and vorticity concepts
  • Familiarity with harmonic wave equations and complex amplitudes
  • Knowledge of linearized momentum equations in fluid mechanics
  • Basic grasp of dispersion relations and wave polarization
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the vorticity field in rotating fluids
  • Explore the implications of nonlinear perturbations in fluid dynamics
  • Learn about dispersion relations in various wave types
  • Investigate the characteristics of anisotropic waves in fluid systems
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Researchers, physicists, and engineers interested in fluid dynamics, particularly those studying wave behavior in rotating systems and the implications of inertial waves in various applications.

Angelo Pascal
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Homework Statement
Consider an inviscid fluid in a uniformly rotating frame of reference. The effect of
gravity is neglected. In the frame rotating with an angular velocity Ω, the momentum
equation governing the fluid flow is given by:
du/dt = ∂u/∂t + (u · ∇) u = −1/ρ (∇pr) − 2Ω × u
where u is the velocity field, ρ is the density of the fluid and pr= p − ((|Ω| |x⊥|)^2)/2
is the reduced pressure, where p is pressure and x⊥ is the perpendicular distance from
the position vector x to the rotation axis.
We consider the dynamics of inertial waves, i.e. small perturbations to the state of
uniform rotation.
Relevant Equations
The questions are below.
(a) Write down an expression for the velocity field corresponding to uniform
rotation. Find the vorticity corresponding to this flow.

(b) Consider a small perturbation u' to the state of uniform rotation with angular
velocity Ω, which has the form of a plane harmonic wave
u'= A exp i(k·x−ω t) + A*exp -i(k·x−ω t)
where k is the wavenumber vector, ω is the frequency, A is the complex
amplitude and A* is its complex conjugate.
How small does the amplitude A need to be for the nonlinear (with respect to A) terms to be much smaller than the linear ones in the momentum equation?

(c) Consider the linearised momentum equation and derive the dispersion relation
ω = ω (k). (Hint: Take the curl of the momentum equation and use the identity
∇ × (Ω × u) = − (Ω · ∇) u.)

(d) What is the polarisation of the inertial waves?

(e) Are these waves dispersive or non-dispersive? Isotropic or anisotropic? Explain why. Find the group velocity for the inertial waves and comment on its
relative direction with respect to the wavenumber vector.
 
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Did the original problem say anything about the fluid being incompressible?
 

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