Atmospheric structure
Central building blocks are mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetic radiation and basic chemical concepts. Their interplay is needed to quantitatively describe the state of the atmosphere and the altitude variation of key quantities like temperature, pressure, composition, radiative fluxes and stability. Of particular interest for structure and energetics is the role of water vapour and related condensation and evaporation processes. The interaction of short- and longwave radiation with various species leads us to an analysis of the Earths radiation budget and important concepts like the greenhouse effect.
Beyond its focus on atmospheric processes, the course also provides a first insight in the vertical structure of the oceans, contrasting their thermodynamic properties to those of the atmosphere. As an important application of radiative processes, the course includes an introduction to remote sensing. thus highlighting important tools for acquiring data about the atmosphere, oceans and climate.
While this course focuses on the processes that define the vertical structure of the atmosphere, the subsequent course Fundamental dynamics will extend this knowledge to structure and motion in three dimensions.
Teaching Format
The course consists of lectures, exercises and laborations.
Course materials
Grading criteria, course literature and other material related to the course will be available on the course Athena-site at once you have registered for the course.
Assessment
Examination is done by written tests.
