Abstract
IF potential temperature is denoted by θ and wet bulb potential temperature by θ′, then log θ is proportional to the entropy of dry air and log θ′ to the entropy of the mixture of air and water vapour. Because air is compressible, entropy is a guide to its motion, and Sir Napier Shaw was the first to prepare a diagram of the variation of log θ or θ with latitude and height, and to use it as a text on which to expound the stratification of the atmosphere. When, however, cloud in convection penetrates the air strata, log θ′ takes the place of log θ as an operative factor. A world picture of θ′ is required to complement that of θ.
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References
See Brunt, “Physical and Dynamical Meteorology” (2nd edn.), 415.
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NORMAND, C., RAO, K. Distribution of Wet Bulb Potential Temperature in Latitude and Altitude. Nature 158, 128 (1946). https://doi.org/10.1038/158128a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/158128a0
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