Introductory description

The diffusion, convection, chemical reactions and the interaction with living organisms, which take place in or at the boundaries of the atmosphere, determine the weather patterns we observe. The module looks at some of these processes. The module also treats the phenomenon of cloud-formation and the role of the earth's rotation in determining flow patterns in the atmosphere.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Description of the atmosphere. Permanent and variable gases; layer profile, troposphere, stratosphere (ozone layer), mesosphere and beyond; atmospheric energy balance: surface temperature, albedo and greenhouse effect; origin of the earth's atmosphere and the role of life in determining past and future climates
2. Vertical motion and role of water. Atmospheric stability, dry and saturated adiabatic lapse rates; water vapour, relative humidity, evaporation and condensation; cloud formation, condensation nuclei, growth by diffusion and accretion; precipitation: warm rain, the three-stage process; atmospheric electricity: lightning
3. Flow Patterns - wind and weather. Pressure gradients and their origins, sea breezes; mechanics in a rotating frame, Coriolis force, geostrophic wind; circulation on a global scale: prevailing winds, jet streams; synoptic scale motion: air masses, fronts, cyclones and accompanying weather patterns; mesoscale and microscope motion, planetary boundary layer; influence of the oceans:, el Niño, Gulf Stream

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Describe the structure and composition of the earth's atmosphere and how it developed
• Explain how motion in the troposphere is driven by the (differential) heating of the earth by the sun
• Explain how heat and matter are transported by convection-generated flows in the troposphere and the effect on these flows of the earth's rotation
• Describe the mechanisms that lead to precipitation
• Explain the effect of human activity on the atmosphere and climate

Indicative reading list

JFR McIlveen, Fundamentals of Weather and Climate, Chapman & Hall, 1992.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

Physics has provided techniques and principles which are valuable to other sciences including meteorology. This module shows how electromagnetism, gravity, mechanics and thermodynamics drive most of what we call the weather.

Subject specific skills

Knowledge of mathematics, physics and meteorology. Skills in modelling, reasoning, thinking

Transferable skills

Analytical, communication, problem-solving, self-study