Course program
The course is structured in two parts.
Part I, Siani A.M. (3CFU)
INTRODUCTION and characteristics of the atmosphere (atmospheric composition, pressure and vertical temperature profile). The ozone hole.
Weather symbols and definitions.
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION. Fundamental forces, Non inertial reference frames and “Apparent” Forces. Structure of the Static Atmosphere, geopotential height. Vertical coordinate systems. The Momentum Equation, the Continuity Equation, The Thermodynamic Energy Equation. Scale Analysis of the Equations applied to different atmospheric motions, in particular to mid-latitude synoptic systems. The hydrostatic approximation. Thickness and Temperature. Pressure tendency equation. Quasi-static approximation.
ATMOSPHERIC THERMODYNAMICS. Complements of thermodynamics: Gas laws of dry and moist air, virtual temperature, Thermodynamics of the Dry Atmosphere, adiabatic processes, potential temperature, the moisture parameters (mixing ratio, absolute humidity, specific humidity). Saturation vapour pressure and saturation moisture parameters (relative humidity, and dew point temperature). Saturated adiabatic and pseudo-adiabatic processes. Lifting condensation level. Convection Condensation Level , Level of Free Convection. Dry and saturated adiabatic lapse rates. Static Stability for dry and moist air.
Part II, teacher to be assegned (3 CFU)
BOUNDARY LAYER: Properties of the atmospheric boundary layer and turbulence. Computational techniques for the study of turbulent motions. Reynolds equations. Turbulent flows. Turbulent closure. Ekman spiral. Secondary circulation. Evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer. Local winds. Elements of the atmospheric dispersion.
ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION: electromagnetic spectrum. Basic radiometric quantities. Blackbody radiation theory: Plank’s law, Stefan-Boltzmann law, Wien’s displacement law, Kirchhoff’s law. Application to the terrestrial energy balance. Solar and terrestrial emission. Radiative equilibrium. Greenhouse effect: single-layer model. Absorption and emission of radiation: absorption cross sections, brightness temperature. Elastic scattering: Rayleigh and Mie theory, scattering cross section, phase function. The equation of radiative transfer. Approximations: Beer-Lambert law and Schwarzchild’s equation, plane-parallel atmosphere. Optical thickness. General solution: absorption, emission and scattering coefficients, single scattering albedo. Elements of climate change and IPCC report.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of physics and math.
Books
Part I Siani A.M. (3 CFU)
J. M. Wallace and P. V. Hobbs, Atmospheric Science: an introductory survey, 2nd ed, Academic Press, 2006.
Prodi F. Battaglia A. Meteorologia Parte 1° Dinamica, 2007
Slides discussed during the class available on e-learning platform upon the registration by the teacher ( student request).
Part II Falasca II (3 CFU)
Main reference:
John M.Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs, Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey, Second Edition, Ed. Elsevier, 2006.
Slides discussed during the class available on e-learning platform upon the registration by the teacher ( student request).
For a more detailed study:
- James R. Holton, An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Fourth Edition, Ed. Elsevier, 2004.
- K. N. Liou, An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation, Academic Press, 2002
- R. B. Stull, «An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology», 1988.
Teaching mode
Lectures, Active learning discussion sessions, active and passive problem solving classes, home work.
Frequency
Highly recommended.
Exam mode
The formative assessment is performed via interaction between teacher and students during lectures and exercises. Students are involved in questioning, in discussion and in proposing strategies to solve exercises, by means of open oral questions to the entire class (Part I and II).
To pass the exam the student must obtain a grade of not less than 18/30.
Summative Assessment, the student should be able to:
- be confident with the terminology used in meteorology;
- acquire a basic knowledge on atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics necessary for understanding atmospheric motions;
- use thermodynamic diagrams to determine stability and instability and other information;
- be confident with the characterization of the atmospheric boundary layer also in terms of the mathematic approach;
- be confident with computational techniques for the study of turbulent motions actually available.
- be confident with instruments for evaluation of the terrestrial energetic balance.
- be confident with an autonomous elaboration of the information acquired during the lessons.
Lesson mode
Lectures without any lessons recorded, active learning discussion sessions, active and passive problem solving classes, home work.
The formative assessment is performed via interaction between teacher and students during lectures and exercises. Students are involved in questioning, in discussion and in proposing strategies to solve exercises, by means of open oral questions to the entire class.
