PH5910 Atmospheric Physics ... (2-0-0) ... 2Cr
Next probable offering: Spring 2005
Course Description:
Concepts in atmospheric physics: radiative transfer, atmospheric
thermodynamics, cloud physics, and remote sensing and imaging of Earth.
Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of instructor.
Text (Spring 2002):
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: Air Pollution to Climate,
Seinfeld & Pandis (ISBN 471178160)
Typical Syllabus:
1. Basics
- equilibrium temperatures
- stability and adiabatic lapse rate
- radiative equilibrium model
2. Radiative Transfer
- blackbody radiation
- adsorption and emission
- environmental spectroscopy
- greenhouse effect
3. Atmospheric Thermodynamics
- dry and wet air
- vertical motion
- humid air thermodynamics
4. Atmospheric Aerosols and Microphysical Processes in Clouds
- size distribution of atmospheric aerosols
- nucleation of water and ice
- fluid mechanics and growth of cloud droplets
- storms
5. Global Observation of Curculation Patterns, eg.:
- atmosphere as a heat engine
- jet streams
- satellite meteorology
- remote sensing and imaging of earth
Course Rationale: