Official description

This course provides an introduction to the thermodynamics, stability, and dynamics of the terrestrial atmosphere. It represents suitable preparation for research in experimental and theoretical atmospheric physics. It is also relevant for research in oceanography and planetary atmospheres. Topics for this year include hydrostatics, atmospheric vertical structure, dry and moist thermodynamics, stability for small- and large-amplitude displacements, conservation laws, internal gravity waves, geostrophic balance, thermal wind balance, vorticity, circulation, and potential vorticity. Coursework involves analytic and computational exercises, some observational data analysis, and reviews of papers in the Atmospheric Physics literature.

References (not required):

• Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey, Second Edition, John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs, Academic Press, 2006.
• Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics, Murry L. Salby, International Geophysics Volume 61, Academic Press, 1996.
• An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, James R. Holton, International Geophysics Volume 88, Academic Press, 2004.
• An Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Benoit Cushman-Roisin and Jean Beckers, International Geophysics Volume 101, Elsevier.

Course format:

This is an in-person course that includes prerecorded video content as well as in-person lectures. Pre-recorded (asynchronous) content and notes will be posted in advance of in-person (synchronous) class meetings. Synchronous class meetings will be livestreamed should students wish to attend online, and recordings from these classes will also be posted.

Textbook

Selected readings from "Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics", Murry L. Salby, International Geophysics Volume 61, Academic Press, 1996. and "Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey, Second Edition", John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs, Academic Press, 2006

Additional information

More info about the course: PHY492H1F