equilibrium tide e, which is as we know equal to E2P2 cos (2nft+a).
Whence we find
.
The number f is a fraction such that its reciprocal is twice the number
of sidereal days in the period of the tide. The greatest value of f
is that appertaining to the lunar fortnightly tide (Mf in notation
of harmonic analysis), and in this case f is in round numbers 1/28,
or more exactly f2 = .00133. The ratio of the density σ of sea-water
to δ the mean density of the earth is .18093; which value gives us
The quantity m is the ratio of equatorial certrifugal force to gravity,
an is equal to 1/289. Finally, γ/a is the depth of the ocean
expressed as a fraction of the earth's radius.
With these numerical values Mr Hough has applied the solution
of determine the lunar fortnightly tide for oceans of various depths.
Of his results we give two:—
First, when γ = 7260 ft. = 1210 fathoms, which makes γ/4ma = 1/5,
he finds
If the equilibrium theory were true we should have
;
thus we see how widely the dynamical solution differs from the
equilibrium value.
Secondly, when γ=58080 ft.=9680 fathoms, and γ/4ma=1/5,
he finds
.
From this we see that the equilibrium solution presents some sort
of approximation to the dynamical one; and it is clear that the
equilibrium solution would be fairly accurate for oceans which are
still quite shallow when expressed as fractions of the earth's radius,
although far deeper than the actual sea.
The tides of long period were not investigated by Laplace in this
manner, for he was of opinion that a very small amount of friction
would suffice to make the ocean assume its form of equilibrium.
In the arguments which he adduced in support of this view the
friction contemplated was such that the integral effect was proportional
to the velocity of the water relatively to the bottom. It is
probable that proportionality to the square of the velocity would
have been nearer the truth, but the distinction is unimportant.
The most rapid of the oscillations of this class is the funar fortnightly
tide, and the water of the ocean moves northward for a week
and then southward for a week. In oscillating systems, where the
resistances are proportional to the velocities, it is usual to specify
the resistance by a “ modulus of decay, ” namely the time in which a
velocity is reduced by friction to e-t or 1/2.78 of its initial value.
Now in order that the result contemplated by Laplace may be true,
the friction must be such that the modulus of decay is short compared
with the semi-period of oscillation. It seems certain that the
friction of the ocean bed would not reduce a slow ocean current
to one-third of its primitive value in a day or two, Hence we
cannot accept Laplace's discussion as satisfactory, and the investigation
which has just been given becomes necessary. (See § 34).
§ 18. Tesseral Oscillations.—The oscillations which we now have
to consider are those in which the form of surface is
expressible by the tesseral harmonics. The results will
Transformation of Equation.
be applicable to the diurnal and semi-diurnal tides—
Laplace's second and third species.
If we write σ=s/f the equation (22) becomes
(29)
.
If we write D for the operation sin θd/dθ, the middle term may be arranged in the form
.
Therefore on multiplying by sin θ the equation becomes
(30)
.
We now introduce two auxiliary functions, such that
(31)
It is easy to prove that
(32)
Also
(33)
.
Now perform D+σ cos θ on (31), and use the first of (32) and (33),
and we have
(34)
The functions Ψ and Φ are as yet indeterminate, and we may
impose another condition on them. Let that condition be
(34)
.
Then (34) may be written,
.
Substituting from this in (30), and, using the second of (32), the
function Ψ disappears and the equation reduces to
(36)
.
Since by (35)-, (31) may
be written
(37)
.
The equations (35), (36) and (37) define Ψ and Φ, and furnish
the equation which must be satisfied.
If we denote cos Θ by μ the zonal harmonics are defined by
.
The following are three well-known properties of zonal harmonics:
(38)
,
(39)
,
(40)
.
If PQ s¢ are the two tesseral harmonics of order i and rank s,
it is also known that
(41)
.
Let us now assume
.
These must now be substituted in our three equations (35), (36),
(37), and the result must be expressed by series of the P: functions.
It is clear then that we have to transform into P; functions the
following functions of PQ, namely
.
If we differentiate (38) s times, and express the result by means
of the operator D, we find
(42)
.
Again, differentiating (39) s times and using (40), we find
(43)
.
Lastly, differentiating (41) once and using (38), (40) and (43)