The Energy Conversion in Hurricanes

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Research Paper The Energy Conversion in Hurricanes Nov.24 Will Yu According to the online dictionary, “A wind of force 12 on the Beaufort scale.” is the definition of the hurricane. The wind scale is basically according to an equation” V=0.84 x F^ (3/2), where “V” means the speed of wind and “F” means its wind scale. Therefore, the speed threshold of hurricanes is 35 meters/sec (74miles/hour). If we take a look at the energy equation KE=0.5mv² (where “KE” means the wind’s kinetic energy, “m” means the mass of air, and “v” means the speed of wind), we will know such great speed means that each cube meter of wind has at least 800 Joule energy. Then, the sum of energy a normal hurricane contains is more than what hundreds of A-bombs have. This research will discuss where that energy is from, how hurricanes transfer energy, and how hurricanes release such terrifying energy. A hurricane’s source of energy is water vapor which is evaporated from the ocean surface. According to an online article “What Causes Hurricanes”, the author states: “Water vapor is the "fuel" for the hurricanes because it releases the "latent heat of condensation" when it condenses to form clouds and rain, warming the surrounding air. This heat energy was absorbed by the water vapor when it was evaporated from the warm ocean surface, cooling the ocean in the process” (Par. 2). How much power could water vapor release? It will be solved by two basic heat equations: Q=mcΔT and Q=mL (where Q is the energy water vapor released, m is the mass of water vapor, c is the specific heat of water vapor, ΔT is the temperature change of water vapor, and L is the latent heat of transformation), which means one kilogram water vapor can release almost 2300 kilo Joules energy when it is liquefying and will release 4.2 kilo Joules energy when its temperature reduces one degree. Therefore, the warm area in

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