Introduction to Atmospheric Physics

A general description of the earth’s atmosphere, evolution, regions, key physical principles, and terminology. Effects of gravity on a static atmosphere, hydrostatic equation and applications. Elements of atmospheric thermodynamics, application of 1st law of thermodynamics in atmospheric changes, condensation processes, cooling, adiabatic expansion with and without condensation, mixing and vertical stability. Elements of cloud physics, condensation principles, basic theory of cloud and rain drop growth. Basics of atmospheric electricity, atmospheric conductivity and electric fields, thunderstorm electricity and lightning. Principles of atmospheric dynamics, principal forces, equations of motion and continuity, large scale circulation systems, geostrophic, gradient and thermal winds, description of the general atmospheric circulation, cyclonic and anticyclonic weather systems, air masses and fronts. Elements of radiation in the atmosphere, black body radiation principles, solar radiation, absorption of solar radiation, stratospheric ozone, photochemistry of the ionosphere, ionospheric regions, Chapman profile, terrestrial radiation, carbon dioxide and the greenhouse effect, global energy balance.