Question

Most of the wind associated with a thunderstorm is caused by parcels of air, called air masses, that fall down due to gravity (which is called a down draft). a) Assuming that the air mass falls down from the top of a thunderstorm which is 12 km above the ground, how fast is the air mass traveling when it reaches the ground? b) Is this speed reasonable (convert to miles per hour and compare against 74 mi/hr is required for a storm to be considered a hurricane). c) State your opinion why we don't see wind speeds this strong in a typical thunderstorm? (Note part c is only graded for completion and not content) (Note: 1609.34 m = 1 mi) [485 m/s, 1085 mph)

Answer 1

- 200 @ Height to be dropped h = 12 km = 12000m .. using third equation of motion v² u²+2gh U=O+2x9,8X12000 = 235200 .: =1235200 =485 m/s © as 1 m/s = 2.237 milh .:v=u85 82.237 milh = 1084,88 mill | U = 1085 milh hence it is NOT reasonable. © As this speed i too high to be achieved, even before achieving it, ar mass is lost due to this high speed he As this speed © achieved before achie high speed lost due.