ATMOSPHERIC THERMODYNAMICS

Instructor:

Dr. Hans Verlinde
605 Walker Building
(814) 863-9711

Teaching Assistant: 

Andra Reed
405 Walker Building

Office Hours: 

Monday  4 – 5 pm
Tuesday  4 – 5 pm

Prerequisites: 

Phys 212. Students who do not meet these prerequisites after being informed in writing by the instructor may be dis-enrolled during the first 10-day free add-drop period: http:/www.psu.edu/dept/oue/aappm/C-5.html . If you have not completed the listed prerequisites, then promptly consult with the instructor if you have not done so already.

Text:

Atmospheric Thermodynamics, C.F. Bohren and B.A. Albrecht
More books are on reserve at the EMS Library

Grading Policy:

• Quizzes 25%
• First Midterm 25% Evening Tuesday February 24
• Second Midterm 25% Evening Tuesday April 7
• Final Exam 25% University Schedule
  

Any grade below 50% earns an F, at 75 – 80% you are in A territory.
You will be allowed to make up an exam/quiz only for reasons that are pre-approved PRIOR to the exam/quiz.

Homework : 

Homework is an integral part of this course. These problem sets help you understand the material, and give you the opportunity to work with the concepts until you become familiar with them. Students are allowed to work together in groups; however, I expect every student to understand every aspect of each assigned problem. Homework need not be turned in – your understanding of each problem set will be tested by an in-class quiz, the content of which may be either one of the problems, a section of one, or another problem similar to one of the homework problems. I do this to encourage you to get away from the cramming-for-exam mode of studying.

Objectives for Meteo 431:

1. Students can demonstrate an ability to apply thermodynamic principles quantitatively to atmospheric problems
2. Students can demonstrate the use of thermodynamics equations in determining the thermal structure of basic atmospheric phenomena

Outcomes for Meteo 431:

1. Students can demonstrate knowledge of how thermal energy and the first law of thermodynamics are applied to describe atmospheric thermal properties and structure
   
2. Students can demonstrate knowledge of how entropy and the second law of thermodynamics are applied to basic thermal problems
   
3. Students can demonstrate knowledge of the process of phase change in atmospheric phenomena
   
4. Students can demonstrate an ability to analyze atmospheric soundings using a thermodynamic diagram

Expectations and Policies for Meteo 431:

As a major in Meteorology you are expected to have a reasonable understanding of mathematics (through differential equations) and physics (mechanics, electricity and magnetism). Students with weak backgrounds in the fundamental disciplines are advised to postpone enrollment in this course.

Each student is expected to keep up with the subject matter and to participate actively and effectively in class. Good study habits include rewriting your notes on a daily basis in readable and understandable English, with complete mathematical derivations, using both your class notes and the text. If, in the rewriting of your notes, you find something you don’t understand, come and ask. This will result in a net gain in time – you will find that you will spend significant less time on homework!

When seeking help to do homework, come with evidence that you have been working on it, and don’t expect either me or Jennifer to do it for you with you being a passive onlooker. We want to hear your thoughts on how to tackle the problem, and will guide you in the right direction, but we will not do it for you. Given the nature of grade assignment in the class, you are welcome to verify your solution with either me or Jennifer. Jennifer is available to discuss homework with you, she may even verify your homework answers, and I have encouraged her to ask questions about the homework to make sure you understand every aspect of it, as I will hold you responsible for any aspect of any problem on the quiz.