Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Radiative Processes

Course #MR3480

Est.imated Completion Time: 3 months

Overview

The physical variables; the equation of state; the first law of thermodynamics and its application to the atmosphere; meteorological thermodynamic diagrams; adiabatic processes and potential temperatures; moist air process; hydrostatic equilibrium, vertical motion in the atmosphere, stability methods and criteria. Basic radiative transfer including absorption and scattering by atmospheric constituents; solar and terrestrial radiative heating; radiative energy budgets; climate change; radiative effects of clouds and aerosols; optical phenomena.

Prerequisites

Single variable calculus

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

· Develop the basic thermodynamic equations used in meteorology.

· Understand the use of thermodynamic variables in describing dry and moist properties of air.

· Understand basic dry and moist thermodynamic energy processes in the atmosphere in terms of fundamental physical principles.

· Understand the use of thermodynamic diagrams in solving both conceptual and practical problems involving specific thermodynamic energy processes.

· Understand the basic concepts of radiative quantities and characteristics of blackbody emission.

· Understand the basic laws of radiation.

· Understand the radiative transfer processes in the atmospheric in the solar and infrared wavelength.

· Understand the basics of scattering and absorption in the atmosphere.

· Understand the energy balance of the earth system and basic radiative equilibrium climate models.

Offerings database access

Asset Publisher

Application Deadlines

No upcoming deadlines.