= Constant-phase line of an internal gravity wave
= Constant-phase lines of an internal gravity wave
{synonym}
For a two-dimensional <internal gravity wave> with phase $kx+\int m(z)\,dz-\omega t$, a constant-phase line at fixed time has slope $dz/dx=-k/m(z)$. Its normal spacing from the next crest is $2\pi/(k^2+m^2)^{1/2}$; the <wavevector> $(k,m)$ is normal to the line. The intrinsic energy ray is tangent to these phase lines, while mean-flow <advection> changes the laboratory ray direction.
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