- #1
Irfan Nafi
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Jupiter's spins the same way the Earth does, so the Coriolis effect should make the Great Red Spot spin clockwise, but it's an anti-cyclone. Why is that?
Why does the Great Red Spot spin counter-clockwise?
- Context: High School
- Thread starter Irfan Nafi
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on the counter-clockwise spin of Jupiter's Great Red Spot, exploring the underlying reasons for this phenomenon in the context of atmospheric dynamics and pressure systems. Participants examine the roles of the Coriolis effect, pressure gradients, and gravitational forces.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants note that Jupiter spins similarly to Earth, suggesting that the Coriolis effect should lead to a clockwise spin, yet the Great Red Spot is an anti-cyclone.
- Others argue that the clockwise spin in the southern hemisphere occurs around low pressure regions, where gravity pulls gas inward, contrasting with high pressure regions that lead to outward flow.
- Participants discuss the pressure gradient as a force acting on gas volumes, comparing it to air flowing from an inflated balloon when opened.
- There is a suggestion that the air masses are attempting to reach equilibrium due to the high pressure in the surrounding area.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the implications of the Coriolis effect and the nature of pressure systems, indicating that multiple competing explanations remain without a clear consensus.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about the behavior of gases in pressure systems and the interplay of forces are not fully explored, leaving certain aspects of the discussion unresolved.
- #2
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The clockwise spin (on the southern hemisphere) occurs around low pressure regions into which gravity will tend to pull gas.
In a high pressure region, gas will try to flow away, resulting in the opposite rotation. Anticyclones occur on Earth too.
The rotation is not only due to the Coriolis force, it is due to the interplay between Coriolis and gravity.
In a high pressure region, gas will try to flow away, resulting in the opposite rotation. Anticyclones occur on Earth too.
The rotation is not only due to the Coriolis force, it is due to the interplay between Coriolis and gravity.
- #3
Irfan Nafi
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Why does gas try to flow away in a high pressure region?
- #4
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Because the pressure gradient gives a resulting force on any volume of gas. It is just the same reason air generally would flow into fill a vacuum if allowed.
- #5
- 22,827
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This image summarises it quite neatly:
- #6
rootone
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Same as if you blow up a balloon.Irfan Nafi said:
The air inside the inflated balloon is at a higher pressure than the outside atmosphere, so if you then open the air inlet up, the air inside comes back out again.
- #7
Irfan Nafi
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So because of the high pressure the surrounding is trying to find equilibrium?
- #8
rootone
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Yes, the air masses are attempting to reach equilibrium.Irfan Nafi said:
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