EAS 2750c: Physics of the Weather

Text: The Atmosphere, by Lutgens and Tarbuck
IPCC third assessment report summary (download from http://www.ippcc.ch)

Course Outline

1. Composition and general structure of atmosphere (Chapter 1)
   
   
2. Earth's relationship to the Sun and the seasons, Solar and terrestrial radiation, black body radiation, Greenhouse effect, temperature scales. (Chapters 2-3)
   
   
3. Vertical structure of the atmosphere: pressure and temperature profiles, hydrostatic law, ideal gas law, Archimedes principle.
   
   
4. Atmospheric Stability, latent heat, phase transformations, sensible heat, heat capacity first law of thermodynamics, adiabatic expansion. (Chapter 4)
   
   
5. Cloud formation and classification. Precipitation - terminal velocity and fall speed. (Chapter 5)
   
   
6. Air pressure and winds, Rotation of the planet and Coriolis force. Trade winds. (Chapter 6-7)
   
   
7. Air Masses and Fronts (Chapter 8-9)
   
   
8. Thunderstorms and Tornadoes (Chapter 10)
   
   
9. Hurricanes (Chapter 11)
   
   
10. Atmospheric chemistry: air pollution, Antarctic ozone hole
    
    
11. Climate and climate change (IPCC report)