Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 hours lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Semester Exam | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester Assessment Worksheets. Short Student Presentations. | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Supplementary Exam | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Use the principle laws of fluid statics and fluid dynamics to solve problems in atmospheric dynamics.
2. Explain the balance of energy in an atmospheric system.
3. Explain the vertical structure of the neutral atmosphere in terms of the underlying physics.
4. Discuss the factors controlling the vertical temperature profile.
5. Understand the basic processes which determine the composition of the atmospheric layers.
6. Discuss the factors controlling winds and tides above a planetary surface.
7. Understand the properties of atmospheric acoustic-gravity waves.
Brief description
This course will provide students with the basic techniques in fluid dynamics and an overview of planetary atmospheric science.
Content
- Fluid mechanics and its application to neutral atmospheres
- Introduction to atmospheres. Structure of the Earth's atmosphere. Heating and layer formation.
- Vertical stucture. Hydrostatic equilibrium and scale heights. Atmospheric layers.
- Planetary atmospheres - differences from Earth.
- The vertical stucture of the Earth's neutral atmosphere.
- Winds and tides in the Earth's atmosphere.
- Atmospheric acoustic-gravity waves.
- Modelling planetary atmospheres - approaches and constraints.
Reading List
Recommended TextSaha, Kshudiram (2008) The Earth's Atmosphere - Its Physics and Dynamics http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/atmospheric+sciences/book/978-3-540-78426-5
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5