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Preferred term

potential vorticity  

Definition

  • In fluid mechanics, potential vorticity (PV) is a quantity which is proportional to the dot product of vorticity and stratification. This quantity, following a parcel of air or water, can only be changed by diabatic or frictional processes. It is a useful concept for understanding the generation of vorticity in cyclogenesis (the birth and development of a cyclone), especially along the polar front, and in analyzing flow in the ocean. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_vorticity)

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http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-DFZVX079-B

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