Layer of Frictional Influence

Layer of Frictional Influence

 

the layer in which, because of friction, water is set in motion by wind action; the rate of motion of the water decreases with depth. According to the theory of the Swedish scientist V. W. Ekman, the rate of motion of water at a depth D is 1/23 the rate observed at the surface. Layer of Frictional Influence where α is the specific volume of water, μ is the coefficient of turbulent friction, ω is the angular velocity of the earth’s rotation and Φ is the latitude of the site.

A boundary layer of the atmosphere is also a layer of fric-tional influence.