PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Fluids & Continuum Physics · Convection, rotation and geophysical flows · Convection, rotation and geophysical flows
Fluid Dynamics, Ch Rotating fluids: geostrophy, Taylor columns and Ekman layers
Problem
After a storm passes, a drifting buoy in the Gulf of Mexico at latitude 30∘N moves in inertial circles with speed 0.15ms−1 and negligible pressure gradient or friction.
((a)) Find the period of the buoy's circular motion, in hours.
((b)) Find the radius of the circles, in kilometres.