SPAT0055-1 : Atmosphere of the Earth

Study Programmes 2015-2016

SPAT0055-1

Atmosphere of the Earth

Duration :

30h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits :

Master in space sciences (120 ECTS)		5

Lecturer :

Denis Grodent

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Course contents :

Chapter I: Atmospheric structure

Hydrostatic equilibrium
Thermal structure
Convection, radiation, conduction

Chapitre II: Interactions of Solar radiation with the atmosphere

Solar radiation spectrum
Variability of the Sun's emissions
Radiative transfer equation and applications
Energy balance and climate
Greenhouse effect

Chapitre III: Photochemical processes and composition

Photochemical action of radiation
Photochemistry of the atmosphere
Ozone: production and destruction

Chapitre IV: Atmospheric transport

General equations of the atmospheric structure
Molecular and turbulent vertical diffusion
Movements in the troposphere and the stratosphere

Chapitre V: The Ionosphere

Formation and structure
Chemical composition
Neutrality and electric field

Learning outcomes of the course :

This course is meant to provide students with basic concepts of atmospheric physiccs. The common thread of the course is the vertical thermal profile of Earth's atmosphere. At the end of the course, students should be able to explain the overal shape of this thermal profile and to link it with the chemical composition and the energy balance of the atmosphere.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

It might be useful to follow course SPAT0040 (Fluid Mechanics)

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Face-to-face, power point presentations.