Skip to content

Main content

Bulk Richardson Numerator Term Tool

Return the buoyancy numerator before division by squared horizontal velocity change.

Loading tool…

Description

Return one bulk-Richardson numerator term.

Atmospheric dynamics uses signed coordinates, rotating-flow approximations, fluctuation definitions and stability conventions. One advection, shear, vorticity or wave term omits parts of the full equations and need not establish the state or stability of an observed atmosphere.

Return one bulk-Richardson numerator term.

When to use this tool

Use Bulk Richardson Numerator Term when evaluating the stated local atmospheric dynamic, turbulence, stability or wave term.

How to use the tool and how it works

  1. Enter gravity, referenceTheta, thetaDifference, heightDifference. Use the units and conventions below.
  2. Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
  3. Read numerator. Use the output convention below.

Return one bulk-Richardson numerator term. Require gravity/referenceTheta > 0; numerator = gravity*thetaDifference*heightDifference/referenceTheta.1

Input fieldMeaning and unitsAccepted input
gravityGravityRequired. Finite number; strictly above 0.
referenceThetaReference ThetaRequired. Finite number; strictly above 0.
thetaDifferenceTheta DifferenceRequired. Finite number.
heightDifferenceHeight DifferenceRequired. Finite number.
Output fieldInterpretationReturned shape
numeratorNumeratorRequired. Finite number.
json
{
  "input": {
    "gravity": 9.81,
    "referenceTheta": 300,
    "thetaDifference": 3,
    "heightDifference": 100
  },
  "output": {
    "numerator": 9.81
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

  • The velocity-shear denominator is omitted; reference potential temperature is absolute and no full stability criterion or forecast is evaluated.
  • Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
  • Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Use complete verified fields and an appropriate dynamical model, including coordinate directions, omitted terms and approximation validity, for physical or forecast interpretation.

References

  1. Calculation and input contract: atmospheric-science/bulk-richardson-numerator-term — tool.io

Similar or alternative tools