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In thermodynamics, an exothermic process (from Ancient Greek έξω (éxō) 'outward' and θερμικός (thermikós) 'thermal') [1] is a thermodynamic process or reaction that releases energy from the system to its surroundings, [2] usually in the form of heat, but also in a form of light (e.g. a spark, flame, or flash), electricity (e.g. a ...
In a typical thunderstorm, approximately 5×10 8 kg of water vapor are lifted, and the amount of energy released when this condenses is 10 15 joules. This is on the same order of magnitude of energy released within a tropical cyclone, and more energy than that released during the atomic bomb blast at Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. [16] [failed ...
Wind-wave dissipation or "swell dissipation" is process in which a wave generated via a weather system loses its mechanical energy transferred from the atmosphere via wind. Wind waves, as their name suggests, are generated by wind transferring energy from the atmosphere to the ocean's surface, capillary gravity waves play an essential role in ...
Winds are commonly classified by their spatial scale, their speed and direction, the forces that cause them, the regions in which they occur, and their effect. Winds have various defining aspects such as velocity , the density of the gases involved, and energy content or wind energy.
A katabatic wind (named from Ancient Greek κατάβασις (katábasis) 'descent') carries high-density air from a higher elevation down a slope under the force of gravity. Such winds are sometimes also called fall winds; the spelling catabatic winds[1] is also used. Katabatic winds can rush down elevated slopes at hurricane speeds, but most ...
Atmospheric circulation. Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air and together with ocean circulation is the means by which thermal energy is redistributed on the surface of the Earth. The Earth's atmospheric circulation varies from year to year, but the large-scale structure of its circulation remains fairly constant.
Wind gradient. In common usage, wind gradient, more specifically wind speed gradient[1] or wind velocity gradient, [2] or alternatively shear wind, [3] is the vertical component of the gradient of the mean horizontal wind speed in the lower atmosphere. [4] It is the rate of increase of wind strength with unit increase in height above ground ...
The North Atlantic Gyre is located in the northern hemisphere in the Atlantic Ocean, between the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in the south and Iceland in the north. The North Equatorial Current brings warm waters west towards the Caribbean and defines the southern edge of the North Atlantic Gyre.