barotropic

9.9

A fluid whose pressure depends only on density, so conditions are the same at all depths

adjective
/ˌbɛrəˈtrɒpɪk/

Specialized

: barotrópico

In meteorology, a barotropic fluid simplifies the analysis of weather systems.

Examples

The ocean can be considered barotropic when its pressure depends only on water density.
A barotropic atmosphere has no temperature gradients at constant pressure.
The water is barotropic.
This lake is barotropic!
A barotropic atmosphere has no temperature gradients at constant pressure.
In meteorology, a barotropic fluid simplifies the analysis of weather systems.
The ocean can be considered barotropic when its pressure depends solely on water density.

How Baroclinic

baroclinic

Specialized

1 9.9

barotropic

Specialized

9.9

Surface Forms

barotropic positive

Morphology

barotropic = tropic (opaque) = baro + tropic

The combining form 'baro-' (pressure) and the combining form '-tropic' are technical and not likely to be recognizable to an average B1 learner, so the specific scientific meaning cannot be easily derived.

Etymology

Barotropic comes from baro- meaning 'pressure', as in barometer, and -tropic meaning 'turn' or 'what controls something'. So a barotropic fluid is one where pressure alone controls things, making the fluid the same at all depths.