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Computation of Atmospheric Concentrations of Molecular Clusters from ab initio Thermochemistry
Published on: April 8, 2020
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An Entropy Generation Rate Model for Tropospheric Behavior That Includes Cloud Evolution
1Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 23, 2023
Summary
Global warming increases the demand for entropy generation in the troposphere. This study models how clouds and wind behavior meet this demand, linking severe weather events to high entropy generation rates in clouds.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Physics
- Thermodynamics
- Climate Science
Background:
- Global warming is linked to increased entropy generation.
- The troposphere's response to warming involves complex mechanisms.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for predicting weather patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To postulate and test a relationship between global warming and tropospheric entropy generation.
- To introduce a low-complexity model for calculating tropospheric entropy generation rate.
- To investigate the role of cloud morphology and wind behavior in entropy generation.
Main Methods:
- Developed a low-complexity model for tropospheric entropy generation rate.
- Utilized a diffuse-interface model to calculate cloud entropy generation rates.
- Correlated cloud morphologies and vertical velocities with entropy generation.
Main Results:
- Tropospheric entropy generation rate is proportional to the square of surface temperature increase.
- Clouds like cumulonimbus generate significant entropy, linked to extreme weather.
- Model predictions for thundercloud vertical velocity align with observations.
Conclusions:
- The troposphere employs cloud and wind mechanisms to meet increased entropy demands.
- Severe weather events are associated with high entropy-generating clouds.
- A generalized framework for pattern evolution, including cloud dynamics, is proposed.
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