Thermal Convection Mechanics

Kern E Kenyon

doi:10.4236/ns.2020.129050

Abstract

Assuming thermal convection takes place continuously inside the North Pacific High, an application of physics to the rising sea-warmed air plumes increases understanding of the relatively high air pressure at the sea surface and at the bases of the plumes. Since the ocean is warmer than the air under the NPH, heat is transferred upward decreasing the air density, which should then accelerate upward when no other forces are around to stop it. By Newton’s 3rd law the upward accelerating air will cause an equal but opposite (downward) reaction resulting in high pressure in the air under the rising column. That is the central proposal offered, which is consistent with available observations. New data that confirm the upward acceleration of the heated air are especially needed. Perhaps dye or neutrally buoyant particles could be released from a ship or buoy to make the upward air motion visible.

Highlights

Thermal convection has recently partly explained the existence and the seasonal variation of the North Pacific High Pressure Cell (NPH) off the coast of California [1]
A more complete understanding of the NPH is obtained for the whole sea surface area underneath it
That source of heat is provided by a permanent wide (4000 km along 35 N) warm surface current that flows northeast off California from tropical latitudes into the Gulf of Alaska and it goes under the NPH [2]

Summary

Introduction

Thermal convection has recently partly explained the existence and the seasonal variation of the North Pacific High Pressure Cell (NPH) off the coast of California [1]. Is given a physical explanation of how the rising plume of sea-warmed air itself can produce relatively high air pressure at and very near the sea surface. Thermal convection requires that the sea be warmer than the air so that the air is heated from below. That source of heat is provided by a permanent wide (4000 km along 35 N) warm surface current that flows northeast off California from tropical latitudes into the Gulf of Alaska and it goes under the NPH [2]. The discussion adds to the existing explanation for such a striking relation between atmosphere and ocean

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion