THERMODYNAMIC VARIABLES USED TO CHARACTERIZE THE BOUNDARY LAYER

And you thought that thermo was a distant memory....:), well not quite

Q:  What thermodynamic variables do we use to study boundary layer characteristics?  And what is their "typical" vertical distribution in the boundary layer?

  1. Temperature (T)
  2. Dew-point temperature (Td)
  3. Mixing ratio (q) (conserved for adiabatic processes)
  4. Potential temperature (q) - given by Poissons equation as: is also conserved for adiabatic processes.
  5. Virtual Potential Temperature (qv) - for unsaturated air, qv is given by qv = q(1 + 0.61q). 

Q:  is qv conserved for an adiabatic process?  Answer