Pressure work in a steady cross-isobaric wind

ID: pressure-work-in-a-steady-cross-isobaric-wind

Dot the steady linear-drag momentum equation with the velocity. The Coriolis force does no work, so pressure-gradient work balances frictional dissipation. In a strictly geostrophic flow the wind is along isobars and pressure work vanishes. Cross-isobar motion supplies the positive pressure work needed to maintain a dissipative equilibrium.

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