A compatible recording-tabulation technique applied to a statistical study of atmospheric temperature fluctuations

Abstract

<p>A method has been presented for detecting, recording and automatically analyzing turbulent temperature fluctuations in the atmosphere. The method is used to present, in tabulated form, the data necessary for the computations of the means, standard deviations and correlation coefficient for two electrical signals representing the temperature fluctuations at two detectors. The recording system increases the versatility of the analysis system by acting as a memory so that the original raw data are not lost for re-examination and analysis;The errors and limitations of the instrumental aspects of this investigation have been analyzed and discussed;From the experimental results of this investigation the following conclusions have been drawn. The intensity of thermal turbulence has a dependence upon atmospheric stability. The intensity of the thermal fluctuations is greater during periods of instability than during periods of stability. The intensity of the thermal fluctuations decreases with height during periods of instability and increases with height during periods of stability. The vertical scale of thermal turbulence increases with decreasing stability. The rate at which the vertical scale of thermal turbulence increases with height is greater during periods of instability than during periods of stability.</p>