Fundamentals of Physical Oceanography

📋 Course Outline

1. Physical Oceanography Laws
2. Ocean Motion Objects
3. Fluid Stratification
4. Convection Processes
5. Eddies and Waves
6. Seawater Physical Properties
7. Temperature and Salinity
8. Density and Stratification
9. Water Masses and Distribution
10. Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction
11. Wind and Ocean Currents
12. Coriolis Effect

📖 1. Physical Oceanography Laws

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Convection: The vertical movement of fluid caused by density differences, where lighter fluid rises and denser fluid sinks, leading to fluid mixing and instability.
• Eddies: Circular or spiral fluid motions resulting from instabilities in flow, often generated by wind shear or current shear, contributing to mixing and transport.
• Waves: Periodic oscillations in the fluid driven by restoring forces such as gravity or Earth's rotation, capable of transporting energy over large distances.
• Hydrostatic Equilibrium: The balance between the vertical pressure gradient force and gravity in a stationary ocean, resulting in horizontal isobaric surfaces.
• Navier-Stokes Equations: Fundamental equations describing fluid motion, incorporating forces like pressure, gravity, Coriolis effect, and viscous stresses.
• Reynolds Number (Re): A dimensionless quantity indicating flow regime; low Re signifies laminar flow, high Re indicates turbulence.

📝 Essential Points