Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2016 / iii / Paper 330 / 2 / b / Solution

Define $K=N_s^2{z}_s^{-\beta }>0$. The buoyancy frequency definition gives $F_z=-KQ{z}^{\beta }$. The powers in a plume similarity in power-law stratification satisfySolving givesA rising positive-buoyancy turbulent plume entrains, so $Q_z>0$; its momentum flux increases, so $M_z>0$; its buoyancy flux decreases in the stable ambient, so $F_z<0$. With positive coefficients, this requires $q>0$, $m>0$ and $f<0$. The strongest restrictions areIn this interval $1<q<5/3$, $0<m<4/3$ and $-2<f<0$.

Coefficient matching makes the positive similarity solution explicit:soIt is an ideal scaling for $z>0$, often a far-field description. As $z\to 0$, the prescribed ambient stratification and this model's buoyancy flux are singular; a finite physical source would require a regularized near-source region.