# Question about the sign of the shearing deformation terms

I have the following equation for the shearing term of the deformation zone in meteorology. The reference is this link: http://www.zamg.ac.at/docu/Manual/SatManu/main.htm?/docu/Manual/SatManu/CMs/Def/backgr.htm

Shearing = dV/dx + dU/dy

U and V are the zonal and meridional winds, respectively. X and Y are the longitude and latitude,respectively.

I would like to know what does it mean to have if:

a). dV/dx < 0 (dU/dy > 0)

b). dU/dy < 0 (dV/dx > 0)

c). both dV/dy and dU/dx are less than 0.

d). both dV/dy and DU/dx are greater than 0

I'll appreciate any help.

• You need to clarify if if you want both a and b is less than 0 or just either one of them – gansub Sep 16 '19 at 7:37
• @gansub i want to know when both are negative and one is larger positive and the other is negative. I'll edit my post. – Lyndz Sep 16 '19 at 7:40
• I am not sure if the individual terms sign has any distinct meaning. But the the net value of shear surely h as some meaning – gansub Sep 16 '19 at 8:28
• @Lyndz The components ∂u/∂x and ∂v/∂y (c) & d)) don't occur in the shearing term... ?? – klanomath Sep 18 '19 at 8:56
• @klanomath One is shear and the other is stretch earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/16990/… – gansub Sep 22 '19 at 5:05

Did you try to sketch one of those situations? Try a square grid, define x and y, and then put $$U$$ and $$V$$ components onto one of the grid points, which you choose as starting point.
Now proceed to implement a). For example, from your starting arrows, go to the next grid point eastwards, and implement $$\frac{dV}{dx}<0$$, i.e. the upwards pointing arrows become smaller as you go eastwards. Do the same for U. Repeat for enough grid points until you see a pattern. Now connect $$U$$ and $$V$$ components into the final, two-dimensional velocity vector $$\vec v$$.