Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2022 iii Paper 333 3 Solution 2026-09-28
Multiply the perturbation PV equation by and take an average. Periodicity makes averages of derivatives vanish, while integration by parts givesUsing proves the quasi-geostrophic wave-activity conservation law is local wave-activity storage, is propagation and mean-flow forcing, and creates or destroys wave activity. A steady unforced wave has both and , hence and exerts no mean force.
For , substitution of givesWrite , where both parts are positive. If , define ; the decaying propagating solution isIf , define ; the decaying evanescent solution isThe boundary condition fixes from . Thermal damping therefore selects decay for either sign of , producing a thermally damped quasi-geostrophic mountain wave.
Since and , quadrature in gives . AlsoConsequentlyBoth fluxes tend to zero aloft. Their vertical divergence is respectively westward and eastward wave force; the equal and opposite integrated force is exerted by the flow on the lower topography. Damping thus permits topographic drag even for the evanescent regime and reverses its sign across the stationary-wave threshold.