|
W32 |
Physics of the atmosphere |
|
|
ECTS |
2.5 |
|
|
Specialities |
HO |
|
|
Keywords |
The Earth's atmosphere, atmospheric thermodynamics, global atmospheric structure, the Hadley circulation in the Tropics, the monsoon. |
|
|
Description |
The teaching unit aims at providing a broad description of the physics of the atmosphere. The first part gives a description of the atmosphere, its composition and the vertical variations of pressure and temperature. The second part deals with the relations between mechanical energy and heat in the atmosphere, and presents the principal diabatic processes. The third part presents the global circulation in the low and upper troposphere, and the associated pressure and temperature fields. The fourth part deals with a simple model of the Hadley circulation in the Tropics, which allows to analyze its main characteristics. The fifth part concerns the monsoon systems resulting from differential responses to seasonal heating over the continents and the oceans. |
|
|
Coordinators |
Prof Frank Roux, Laboratoire d'Aérologie, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, frank.roux@aero.obs-mip.fr |
|
|
Lectures |
1. The Earth's atmosphere 1.1. Atmospheric composition 1.2. Vertical variation of pressure 1.3. Vertical variation of teperature 1.4. Hydrostatic equilibrium 2. Atmospheric thermodynamics 2.1. Air parcel, pressure-volume work 2.2. The first law of thermodynamics 2.3. Heat, entropy and potential temperature 2.4. Atmospheric humidity 2.5. Diabatic processes 3. Global atmospheric structure 3.1. Pressure and wind at surface level 3.2. Thermal structures 3.3. Upper-tropospheric winds 3.4. Atmospheric equilibriums (wind, pressure, temperature) 3.5. Meridional circulation 4. The Hadley circulation in the Tropics 4.1. The Held and Hou (1980) model 4.2. Balanced circulation at equinoxes 4.3. Balanced circulation at solstices 4.4. Seasonal contrasts 4.5. Tne Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone 5. The monsoon 5.1. Definition 5.2. Differential heating in summer and winter 5.3. Land-ocean heating contrast and consequences 5.4. The effect of Earth's rotation 5.5. The annual cycle of the monsoon Total (lectures and tutorials) : 17 h. Lecturer : F. Roux |
|
|
Instructors |
Prof Dr Frank Roux, Laboratoire d'Aérologie, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse |
|
|
Control |
examination (2h) |
|