Atmospheric Physics and Weather

EART23001 Atmospheric Physics and Weather 10 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 5 Martin Gallagher Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Middle part of Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 The module provides an overview of the atmosphere and the atmospheric processes that lead to the weather we experience. We look at the forces that determine air motion (wind), and the behaviour of dry and moist air (clouds and rain). We describe how the atmosphere is observed and measured, and how those measurements are combined with the laws of physics to provide a weather forecast.  The module provides an overview of the atmosphere and the atmospheric processes that lead to the weather we experience. We look at the forces that determine air motion (wind), and the behaviour of dry and moist air (clouds and rain). We describe how the atmosphere is observed and measured, and how those measurements are combined with the laws of physics to provide a weather forecast. To give an understanding of the physics determining the behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere and its observed weather phenomena.   <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2" style="width: 496px">On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: </td> <td style="width: 72px">Developed</td> <td style="width: 66px">Assessed</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 59px; width: 64px">ILO 1</td> <td style="height: 59px; width: 432px">describe the basic properties of the atmosphere</td> <td style="height: 59px; width: 72px">X</td> <td style="height: 59px; width: 66px">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 67px; width: 64px">ILO 2</td> <td style="height: 67px; width: 432px"> apply the basic laws of physics that control the behaviour of the atmosphere.  </td> <td style="height: 67px; width: 72px">X</td> <td style="height: 67px; width: 66px">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 76px; width: 64px">ILO 3</td> <td style="height: 76px; width: 432px">describe and explain the drivers for motion in the atmosphere on synoptic and global scales  </td> <td style="height: 76px; width: 72px">X</td> <td style="height: 76px; width: 66px">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 66px; width: 64px">ILO 4</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 432px">explain the physical behaviour of dry and moist air  </td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 72px">X</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 66px">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 66px; width: 64px">ILO 5</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 432px">describe the main cloud types and cloud and rain formation processes</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 72px">X</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 66px">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 66px; width: 64px">ILO 6</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 432px">explain how a combination of dynamical and thermodynamical processes leads to observable weather phenomena </td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 72px">X</td> <td style="height: 66px; width: 66px">X</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  WEEKLY BREAKDOWN OF CLASSESWeek 1: L1 Intro to course.  Brief history and overview of instruments and observations               L2 Recap, structure and composition of atmosphere. Detail on stratospheric ozone.Week 2: L1  Present ideal gas law, laws of motion, laws of thermodynamics (first law)…..               L2 ….. latent and specific heat, radiation lawsWeek 3: L1 Hydrostatic equation. Dry adiabatic lapse rate, Radiosondes (launch radiosonde if possible after lecture)               L2 Dynamics: hydrostatic balance, pressure measurement, unequal heating and PGFWeek 4: L1 Sea breeze, Coriolis force, friction, gradient and surface wind               L2 Wind observations, Global circulation (3 cell model)….Week 5: L1 ….convergence, divergence, jet stream               L2 Moist air: evaporation, saturation, condensation, humidityWeek 6: Reading week. Coursework is set so that it can be done during this week.Week 7: L1 Measurements of temperature and humidity               L2 Convection, Saturated adiabatic lapse rateWeek 8: L1 Buoyancy and stability/instability, cloud base               L2 Cloud classification. Homogenous nucleation, aerosols and nucleationWeek 9: L1 Droplet growth, ice and the growth process               L2 Measurement of precipitation, visibility, cloudWeek10: L1 Air masses, fronts, Polar front model of cyclogenesis               L2 UK weather: cyclones and anticyclones.Week11: L1 Brief principles of weather forecasting               L2 Revision lecture/catcu upWeek12: L1  Revision lecture/catch up               L2   Revision lecture (on demand) <div>The module is delivered by blended learning lectures, 2 per week, with video lectures and pdf of slides available on Blackboard for pre-/post lecture study and revision. Blackboard quizzes (for self-study) are provided for the early weeks of the course so that students can confirm that they have grasped the essential principles underpinning the course. Feedback is immediate.Thereafter short question tutorial sheets are provided for further self-study. Worked solutions are available on Blackboard and provide initial feedback, with the opportunity to discuss with GTAs for more detailed feedback, if required.GTAs are available to provide in-person support for anyone requiring extra help with the material at the end of the lectures.Assessment is by coursework, and examination at the end of semester. The coursework takes the form of unseen problems to be solved and submitted via Blackboard. The coursework is available for completion during reading week (week 6).</div> 1 Written exam 80% 9 Set exercise 20%  <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="height: 68px; width: 102px">Assessment type</td> <td style="height: 68px; width: 85px">% Weighting within unit</td> <td style="height: 68px; width: 66px">Hand out and hand in dates</td> <td style="height: 68px; width: 94px">Length </td> <td style="height: 68px; width: 170px">How, when and what feedback is provided</td> <td style="height: 68px; width: 123px">ILO tested</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 101px; width: 102px">Coursework:Online test</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 85px">20</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 66px">End W5,End W7</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 94px">2 pages</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 170px">Individual comments provided to students. General feedback provided in class within 1-2 weeks after work is handed in.</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 123px">2</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 101px; width: 102px">Exam</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 85px">80</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 66px"> </td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 94px">2 hours</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 170px">Feedback provided after results made available</td> <td style="height: 101px; width: 123px">All</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Planet Sci) Second Year Optional BSc (Hons) Earth and Plan Scie BSc (Hons) Earth (Geochemistr) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Plane) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Ea and Pl Sci MEarthSci (Hons) Earth (Geoch) Second Year Optional BSc (Hons) Ea and Plan Sci Ind BSc (Hons) Ea and Plan Sci Ind Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Industr MEarthSci EPS w IE (GeoChem) Second Year Optional BSc (Hons) Ea and Pl Sc Abroad BSc (Hons) Ea and Pl Sc Abroad Second Year Optional BSc (Hons) Ea and Pl Sc Abroad BSc (Hons) EPS Yr Abroad (Geo) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Abroad MEarthSci EPS Abroad (PS) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Abroad MEarthSci EPS w YA (Geochem) Second Year Optional BSc (Hons) Environmental Sci BSc (Hons) Envir Science (PEP) Second Year Mandatory BSc (Hons) Environmental Sci BSc(Hons) Envir Science (ACS) Second Year Mandatory BSc (Hons) Env Sci with Indust BSc Env Sci Yr Industry (AS) Second Year Mandatory MEnvSci Environmental Science MEnvSci Environ Science (ACS) Second Year Mandatory MEnvSci Env Sci with Ind Exp MEnvSci Env Sci with IE (ACS) Second Year Mandatory MEnvSci Env Sci with Int Study MEnvSci Env Sci with IS (ACS) Second Year Mandatory MEarthSci (Hons) EPS with Res MEaSc (H) EPS w R (GeoChem) Second Year Optional MEarthSci (Hons) EPS with Res MEaSc (H) EPS (Plan Sci) w Res Second Year Optional MEnvSci (Hons) Env Sci w Resea MEnSc (H) Env Sci (PEP) w Res Second Year Mandatory MEnvSci (Hons) Env Sci w Resea MEnSc (H) Env Sci w RP (ACS) Second Year Mandatory N Recommended readingNo one text covers this entire module. Books tend to lack the physics, or to go beyond what is required at this level. The texts recommended below have the advantage that they will also be used for third year courses that look in more detail at some of the aspects of atmospheric science which are introduced in this module. Recommended:Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey. Wallace and Hobbs, Academic Press - Covers the physics required, and goes further. Would also be suitable for 3rd year courses. For the more descriptive aspects –Ackerman and Knox (2006): Meteorology: Understanding the Atmosphere, 2nd ed. Supplementary animations and applets:http://itg1.meteor.wisc.edu/wxwise/AckermanKnox/OREssentials of Meteorology: An invitation to the Atmosphere. C. Donald Aherns, Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.Both are good on descriptions and concepts, but missing some of the physics. Also suitable for third year Meteorology course (Ackerman and Knox currently recommended for 3rd year). Other Useful Texts: Fundamentals of Weather and Climate. McIlveen, Chapman and Hall. Previous text for this course, still relevant but not as advanced as Wallace and Hobbs:Atmosphere, Weather and Climate. Barry and Chorley, Routledge. Good coverage of much of the course, without explicit physics.An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics. Andrews, Cambridge University Press - Covers most of the physics, and goes further.A Short Course in Cloud Microphysics. Rogers and Yau, Pergamon Press - Covers dry and moist processes, with emphasis on cloud physics. Good for those aspects of this, and third year, modules. Lectures 22 Seminars 6 0 72 Other Scheduled teaching and learning activities: Optional drop-in classes. GTAs provide additional help