11:670:324
3 credits
Tuesdays
and Fridays,
Prerequisites
Course description
Textbook
Grading
Homework
Attendance
Class schedule
Interesting
links
11:670:323 Thermodynamics of the Atmosphere
01:640:251 Multivariable Calculus
Hydrodynamics of the atmosphere. Equations of motion on rotating earth. Vorticity, potential vorticity, and divergence. Boundary layer dynamics.
Martin, Jonathan E., Mid-Latitude Atmospheric Dynamics, John Wiley and Sons, 324 pp.
This textbook is available for purchase at the Cook-Douglass Cooperative Bookstore.
Supplemental
Holton, An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, 4th Edition, Elsevier Academic Press, Ansterdam, 535 pp.
Wallace and
Quiz
(mathematical methods, including vector
analysis): 10%
First hourly exam: 20%
Second hourly exam: 20%
Final exam: 20%
All homework problems will be posted on this web site. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class exactly one week after they are assigned. I will accept late homework assignments through the beginning of the next class after the due date, but your score will be reduced by 50%. Do not unnecessarily reduce your final grade by turning in your homework assignments late. If you have not turned in your homework by the next class after the due date, you will receive a score of zero for that assignment.
In cases of serious emergencies or University-sanctioned schedule conflicts, make-up exams will be given if I am notified in advance. Only in cases of serious medical or personal emergencies will a make-up exam be given if I am not notified in advance, and a note from a physician or the Dean's office will be required. Message: Show up and take your exams at their scheduled time!
You are
required to adhere to the
Attendance is not taken in this class, although the size of the class makes it very easy for me to notice whether or not you attend. I do not grade on the basis of attendance, but in borderline cases I will not be very sympathetic to students who are frequently absent.
Note: Except for the dates of exams
and quizzes, this schedule may change
slightly. Adjustments may be made based on our rate of progress through
the
material.
|
Date |
Topic |
|
Notes |
Homework |
|
January 20 |
Course overview; Review of basic
mathematics |
M1.1, M1.2 |
|
|
|
January 23 |
Review of vector analysis | M1.2 |
|
|
|
January 27 |
Scale analysis; How to solve problems | M1.3 |
|
|
| January 30 | Quiz | |||
| February 3 | Basic kinematics of fluids | M1.4 | HW #1 | |
| February 6 | Using GEMPAK to visualize meteorological data | Meet in ENR 323 | ||
| February 10 |
Fundamental forces |
M2.1 | HW #1 Due | |
| February 13 | Fixed vs. rotating frames of
reference;
Apparent forces |
M2.2 | ||
| February 17 | Class canceled | |||
| February 20 | Momentum equation in rotating coordinates | M3.2 | ||
| February 24 | Momentum equation in spherical
coordinates; Continuity equation |
M3.2.1 | HW #2 | |
| February 27 | Using GEMPAK to visualize meteorological data | Meet in ENR 323 | ||
| March 3 |
Scale analysis of momentum and continuity equations |
M3.2.2 | HW #2 Due | |
| March 6 | Hourly exam #1 | |||
| March 10 | Thermodynamic energy equation; Summary of primitive equations |
M3.3 | ||
| March 13 |
Chaos and numerical weather prediction |
|||
| March 17, 20 | Spring break | |||
| March 24 |
Hypsometric equation and thickness: |
M4.1, M4.3 | HW #3 | |
| March 27 | Balanced flow; Natural
coordinates; Types of balanced flow |
M4.4 | ||
| March 31 | Thermal wind; Barotropic and baroclinic atmospheres |
HW #3 Due | ||
| April 3 | Streamlines and trajectories | M4.5 | ||
| April 7 | Application of continuity eq. to
vertical motion;
Dines compenation |
|||
| April 10 | Hourly exam #2 | |||
| April 14 | Vorticity and its physical interpretation | M5.1, M5.2 | ||
| April 17 | Using GEMPAK to visualize meteorological data | Meet in ENR 323 | ||
| April 21 | Potential vorticity | M5.2 | ||
| April 24 | Relationship between vorticity
and divergence;
Vorticity equation |
M5.3 | ||
| April 28 | Vorticity equation in
p-coordinates; Scale analysis of vorticity equation |
HW #4 | ||
| May 1 | Class not held | |||
| May 5 | Review session (ENR 223 3:30-5:00 PM) | HW #4 Due | ||
| May 11 | Final Exam (8:00-11:00 AM) |