Abstract: After a brief review on the deductions of the complete-form vorticity equation and traditional vorticity equation,comparisons between the to equations are made.Particular attentions are paid to the new physical meanings contained in the complete-form vorticity equation.It is revealed the mechanism for vorticity development due to the internal forcing associated with the changes in static stability and baroclinicity (frontogenesis or frontolysis),as well as the external forcing associated with frictional dissipation and diabatic heating.Finaly,the application prospects of the complete-form vorticity equation in weather and climate studies are discussed.