MR3480: Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Radiative Processes - NPS Online
Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Radiative Processes
Course #MR3480
Est.imated Completion Time: 3 months
POC: NPS Online Support
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.
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