First page Back Continue Last page Overview Graphics
Classification of forces for oceanography
Forces generating currents
- External forces (exerted on fluid boundaries)
- Tangential stress (force exerted by wind)
- Effects of thermo-haline driving (surface cooling, evaporation, etc)
- Internal forces (exerted on all water particles)
- Interior pressure field (pressure gradient)
- Tidal forces
Forces retarding currents
- Friction (diffusion of momentum)
- Diffusion of density