Theory 14/Prandtl Number/Atmospheric boundary layer
Stability Follows Prandtl
The claim
The transition between stable and convective boundary layers is set by the Prandtl number of the surface layer rather than by temperature gradient alone.
01Mechanism
Heat and momentum mix at different rates; when the ratio is far from unity, the layer can be stable in temperature while turbulent in momentum.
02Prediction
Stability regimes should track Prandtl.
03Refutation
Regimes tracking gradient alone would remove the ratio.