PHYS361: Physics of the Atmosphere
Credits:
2
The Atmosphere – an introduction: Origin and composition of the atmosphere; Distribution of constituents; Charged particles; Temperature distribution. Thermodynamics of water vapour and moist air: Thermodynamics of dry and moist air, stability; changes of phase and latent heat; Adiabatic processes, moisture variables; Thermodynamic diagrams Radiation: Fundamental physics of atmospheric electricity, radiation laws; Solar and terrestrial radiation, applications, ozone hole, atmospheric energy transport; Global energy balance.