Physics and chemistry of the atmosphere
ENV-320 / 5 credits
Teacher(s): Huwald Wolf Hendrik, Lehning Michael, Nenes Athanasios, Schmale Julia
Language: English
Summary
The course provides an introduction to the physical and chemical processes that govern the atmospheric dynamics at small and large scales. The basis is laid for an in depth understanding of our atmospheric environment and the climate system.
Content
- Atmospheric Thermodynamics
- Large Scale Atmospheric Motion
- Radiative Transfer in the Atmosphere
- Energy Balance at the Surface-Atmosphere interface
- Atmospheric Boundary Layer
- Weather and Climate Systems
- Atmospheric composition
- Tropospheric and stratospheric ozone
- Aerosols and clouds
- Homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction classifications and rate expressions
- Gas-particle mass transfer
- Collision theory for molecules, particles, and hydrometeors
- Atmospheric Measurements and Instruments
Keywords
Atmospheric Physics, Atmospheric Chemistry, Radiative Transfer, Weather, Climate, Aerosols, Clouds, Ozone, Air Pollution, Boundary Layer, Energy Balance, Nucleation, Sensors, Measurements
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
Recommended courses
ENV-200, ENV-221, ENG-272
Important concepts to start the course
- Differential, integral, and vector calculus
- Linear algebra
- Basic physics (Momentum Conservation, Dynamics)
- Basic chemistry (reaction rates, chemical thermodynamics)
- Basic GNU Octave/MATLAB programming
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Compute simple atmospheric quantities
- Explain atmospheric phenomena
- Interpret atmospheric observations
- Describe fate and transport of atmospheric constituents
- Identify similarities with other environmental fields
- Categorize important atmospheric scales
- Perform simple measurements of atmospheric variables
- Categorize important atmospheric processes at different scales
Transversal skills
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
- Write a scientific or technical report.
- Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
- Assess one's own level of skill acquisition, and plan their on-going learning goals.
Teaching methods
Lectures, Exercises, Laboratory (included in final written exam).
Expected student activities
Regularly attending lectures and exercises
Participation in a mandatory laboratory course (block session)
Complete exercises and practical work (computer projects and lab report)
Studying provided and indicated course material
Assessment methods
Written exam (50%)
Exercise assignments (35%)
Laboratory and report (15%)
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | Yes |
Resources
Bibliography
John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs: Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey
Ken S. Carslaw (ed.): Aerosols and Climate, link
John H. Seinfeld and Spyros N. Pandis: Atmospheric chemistry and physics: from air pollution to climate change link
Ressources en bibliothèque
- Atmospheric Science / Wallace
- Atmospheric chemistry and physics: from air pollution to climate change / John H. Seinfeld and Spyros N. Pandis
- Aerosols and Climate / Ken S. Carslaw (ed.):
Références suggérées par la bibliothèque
Notes/Handbook
See Moodle
Moodle Link
Prerequisite for
Air Pollution (ENV-409)
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Physics and chemistry of the atmosphere
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- TP: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: mandatory
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Physics and chemistry of the atmosphere
- Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- TP: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional