Atmospheric Thermodynamics: Elementary Physics and Chemistry

by Gerald R. North , Tatiana L. Erukhimova

• ISBN13: 9780521899635
• ISBN10: 052189963X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-04-27
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This textbook presents a uniquely integrated approach in linking both physics and chemistry to the study of atmospheric thermodynamics. The book explains the classical laws of thermodynamics, focuses on various fluid systems, and, recognizing the increasing importance of chemistry in the meteorological and climate sciences, devotes a chapter to chemical thermodynamics which includes an overview of photochemistry. Although students are expected to have some background knowledge of calculus, general chemistry and classical physics, the book provides set-aside refresher boxes as useful reminders. It contains over 100 diagrams and graphs to supplement the discussions, and a similar number of worked examples and exercises, with solutions included at the end of the book. It is ideal for a single-semester advanced course on atmospheric thermodynamics, and will prepare students for higher-level synoptic and dynamics courses.

Author Biography

Gerald R. North received a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Wisconsin in 1966, and has been a Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas AM University for over 20 years. His notable research career includes receiving the Outstanding Publication Award, National Center for Atmospheric Research in 1975, the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for NASA in 1983, and the Jule G. Charney Award from the American Meteorological Society in 2008. Tatiana L. Erukhimova received a Ph.D. in Physics from the Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, in 1999, and is now a Lecturer in the Department of Physics at Texas AM University. Her areas of research include large-scale and mesoscale atmospheric transport and mixing, atmospheric wave dynamics, atmospheric ozone, and remote sensing.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Introductory concepts	p. 1
Units	p. 2
Earth, weight and mass	p. 3
Systems and equilibrium	p. 7
Constraints	p. 12
Intensive and extensive quantities	p. 13
System boundaries	p. 14
Thermodynamics and atmospheric science	p. 16
Notes	p. 17
Notation and abbreviations	p. 18
Problems	p. 18
Gases	p. 20
Ideal gas basics	p. 20
Distribution of velocities	p. 29
Flux of molecules striking a wall	p. 35
Moles, etc.	p. 36
Dalton's Law	p. 39
Notes	p. 41
Notation and abbreviations	p. 41
Problems	p. 42
The First Law of Thermodynamics	p. 44
Reversible and irreversible work	p. 47
Heating a system	p. 48
Ideal gas results	p. 51
Enthalpy	p. 61
Standard enthalpy of fusion and vaporization	p. 63
Notes	p. 65
Notation and abbreviations	p. 65
Problems	p. 66
The Second Law of Thermodynamics	p. 69
Entropy	p. 73
The Second Law of Thermodynamics	p. 76
Systems and reversibility	p. 77
Additivity of entropy	p. 78
Extremum principle	p. 82
Entropy summary	p. 87
Criteria for equilibrium	p. 88
Gibbs energy	p. 89
Multiple components	p. 93
Notes	p. 95
Notation and abbreviations	p. 96
Problems	p. 96
Air and water	p. 99
Vapor pressure	p. 99
Saturation vapor pressure	p. 102
Van der Waals equation	p. 103
Multiple phase systems	p. 105
Phase boundaries	p. 107
Clausius-Clapeyron equation	p. 109
Integration of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation	p. 110
Mixing air and water	p. 112
Wet-bulb temperature, LCL	p. 117
Equilibrium vapor pressure over a curved surface	p. 121
Isobaric mixing of air parcels	p. 130
Notes	p. 131
Notation and abbreviations	p. 131
Problems	p. 132
Profiles of the atmosphere	p. 134
Pressure versus height	p. 134
Slope of the dry adiabat	p. 138
Geopotential height and thickness	p. 141
Archimedes' Principle	p. 143
Stability	p. 145
Vertical oscillations	p. 147
Where is the LCL?	p. 149
Slope of a moist adiabat	p. 152
Lifting moist air	p. 154
Moist static energy	p. 158
Profiles of well-mixed layers	p. 158
Notes	p. 161
Notation and abbreviations	p. 161
Problems	p. 162
Thermodynamic charts	p. 163
Areas and energy	p. 164
Skew T diagram	p. 166
Chart exercises	p. 170
Stability problem: example sounding	p. 178
Convective available potential energy (CAPE)	p. 181
Notation and abbreviations	p. 186
Problems	p. 186
Thermochemistry	p. 191
Standard enthalpy of formation	p. 192
Photochemistry	p. 194
Gibbs energy for chemical reactions	p. 199
Elementary kinetics	p. 201
Equilibrium constant	p. 206
Solutions	p. 211
Notes	p. 217
Notation and abbreviations	p. 217
Problems	p. 218
The Thermodynamic equation	p. 220
Scalar and vector fields	p. 225
Pressure gradient force	p. 228
Surface integrals and flux	p. 230
Conduction of heat	p. 232
Two-dimensional divergence	p. 234
Three-dimensional divergence	p. 237
Divergence theorem	p. 239
Continuity equation	p. 240
Material derivative	p. 242
Thermodynamic equation	p. 243
Potential temperature form	p. 245
Contributions to DQ$$/Dt	p. 245
Notes	p. 246
Notation and abbreviations	p. 246
Problems	p. 247
Units and numerical values of constants	p. 249
Notation and abbreviations	p. 252
Answers for selected problems	p. 258
Bibliography	p. 263
Index	p. 265
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