Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE GSC1401

 
TITLE Thermal Physics of the Earth’s Atmosphere

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Geosciences

 
DESCRIPTION Understanding of geophysical processes requires thorough knowledge of the relevant physics, notably thermodynamics and mechanics (fluid dynamics, in particular). The study-unit will provide grounding in relevant aspects of thermal physics as applicable to the Earth's atmosphere.

The main topics to be covered in the study-unit are the following:

Introduction

Earth’s constituents being the atmosphere, geosphere , hydrosphere and biosphere; this course emphasizes the thermal physics of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Thermal Physics of the Earth’s Atmosphere

thermal radiation and Kirchhoff’s law;
Planck law;
Stefan–Boltzmann and Wien displacement laws;
global energy budget and its implications;
horizontal variations in insolation;
problems on thermal physics of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Study-unit Aims:

The main objective of the study-unit is to introduce and give grounding in thermal physics relevant to the Earth's atmosphere.

Consequently, the aims of the study-unit are the following:

- familiarize the students with atmospheric thermal radiation laws and theory;
- introduce the students to the Earth's energy budget (including mathematical modelling) and its implications e.g. global warming;
- provide the students with knowledge about the variations in insolation;
- introduce and familiarize the students with problems on thermal physics of the Earth’s atmosphere

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:


By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- recall and apply atmospheric radiation theory (and laws);
- demonstrate basic knowledge of the Earth's energy budget and recognize its implications, especially with regards to the climate;
- solve problems on thermal physics of the Earth’s atmosphere.

2.Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- demonstrate knowledge of thermal physics as applicable to the Earth's atmosphere;
- appreciate how one area of physics can contribute to the understanding of another;
- have sufficient theoretical understanding to solve problemsin the geosciences;
- appreciate the importance of specific mathematical tools e.g. calculus, in solving problems.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Maarten H P Ambaum (2010). Thermal Physics of the Atmosphere. First Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.

Notes:

- Of relevance to the study-unit content are all chapters, except for the last one i.e. chapter 10. Chapter 9, which is core to the study-unit, is the culmination of all previous chapters i.e. chapters 1-8.
- Additional resources to accompany the textbook are available at http://www.met.rdg.ac.uk/~sws97mha/thermal/index.html

Supplementary Readings:

- David G Andrews (2010). An Introduction to Atmospheric Physics. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press.

Notes:

- Of relevance to the study-unit content are (mainly) chapters 2, 3 and 8.
- Additional resources to accompany the textbook are available at http://www.cambridge.org/mt/academic/subjects/earth-and-environmental-science/atmospheric-science-and-meteorology/introduction-atmospheric-physics-2nd-edition?format=PB

Course Notes:

The course convenor (Alfred Micallef) will provide the students with a comprehensive set of course notes.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite: The General Entry Requirements for the B.Sc. Geosciences area of study

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Alfred Micallef

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit