Demonstrating meteorological concepts via a fluid equivalent model

Abstract

Abstract Much of the material in earth science, climatology, and meteorology requires considerable abstract thinking. Although experiments or models can be used to help students achieve an understanding of the material,1 some topics such as stability, air-mass temperature, density controls, vertical layering of the atmosphere, and equilibrium of a frontal surface do not lend themselves easily to visual representation. A presentation in 1974 by Dr. Arulf Rabl led to a partial solution to the problem.2 In a discussion of the solar pond theory in the collection and storage of energy, Dr. Rabl included a demonstration showing that layers of different salinity content could be used as an energy storage system. The possibility for using a similar demonstration to show atmospheric layers and stability emerged. Further consideration resulted in the discovery of several other concepts that could be shown and discussed with a single demonstration model. The convenience of using a single demonstration for teaching s...