Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2018 / ib / Paper 2 / 7D (Fluid Dynamics)

Write $\mathbf{g}=-g{\mathbf{e}}_z$. The vertical component of the balance gives hydrostatic pressure,Its horizontal gradient is ${\nabla }_{h}p=\rho g{\nabla }_{h}h$. The horizontal balance is consequentlyThus $\mathbf{u}\cdot {\nabla }_{h}h=0$: the velocity is tangent to every level set of $h$, so those contours are streamlines of the geostrophic flow.

Across a vertical section joining the contours $h_0$ and $h_0+\Delta h$, an element of horizontal distance normal to the contours is $dn=dh/|{\nabla }_{h}h|$, while $|\mathbf{u}|=(g/f)|{\nabla }_{h}h|$. The volumetric flow rate is thereforeFor dimensional analysis, $[g]=L{T}^{-2}$, $[f]=T^{-1}$ and $[h_0]=[\Delta h]=L$, so the result has dimension $L^3{T}^{-1}$, exactly that of a volume flux.