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Lorenz & Rennó 2002
Lorenz, R.D. and Rennó, N.O. (2002). Work output of planetary atmospheric engines: dissipation in clouds and rain. Geophysical Research Letters 29: doi: 10.1029/2001GL013771. issn: 0094-8276.

We compute the dissipation due to the drag of falling raindrops and cloud droplets, and find both to be significant sources of dissipation on Earth and possibly Titan. On other planets, they appear to be insignificant. We compare this dissipation with the latent heat transported by the drops and the thermodynamic efficiency with which it can be converted into work. This comparison suggests moist convection on Earth and Titan is similar, but on Jupiter latent heat alone does not provide enough work to lift the condensate against gravity.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Planetary atmospheres (5405, 5407, 5409, 5704, 5705, 5707), Planetology, Fluid Planets, Meteorology, Hydrology, Precipitation
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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