| tpratch |
| (Moderator) |
| Thu Sep 30 2004 10:47 AM |
|
Re: ? for Mets & long time trackers
|
Quote:
Surface winds in tropical cyclones are highest slightly above the surface due to friction at the earth's surface. This is why wind speeds are usually higher over open water, as opposed to land, because land has more friction than water.
I don't think you mean friction.
Friction is the "force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact."
Wind gets slowed over land by the drag of objects on it (land, buildings, trees, et al). The resultant turbulence disrupts the "smooth" flow of the wind and causes it to dissipate energy.
Friction itself generally refers to solid objects - drag/lift refer to aerodynamic interactions.
Or else someone may have slipped crack into my Cheerios again
