An Introduction to Atmospheric Thermodynamics

Textbook for short undergraduate courses in atmospheric science, meteorology, physics or natural science programs.

Anastasios Tsonis (Author)

9780521696289, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 2 August 2007

198 pages, 45 b/w illus. 91 exercises
24.4 x 17 x 1.3 cm, 0.404 kg

'The book is clearly written and provides an appreciable and concise introduction to the major concepts of atmospheric thermodynamics. Various examples, along with their solutions, are provided at the end of any chapter and discussed in detail.' Meteorologische Zeitschrift

This is a self-contained, concise, rigorous book introducing the reader to the basics of atmospheric thermodynamics. This new edition has been brought completely up to date and reorganized to improve the quality and flow of the material. The introductory chapters provide definitions and useful mathematical and physical notes to help readers understand the basics. The book then describes the topics relevant to atmospheric processes, including the properties of moist air and atmospheric stability. It concludes with a brief introduction to the problem of weather forecasting and the relevance of thermodynamics. Each chapter contains worked examples and student exercises, with solutions available to instructors on a password protected website at www.cambridge.org/9780521796767. The author has taught atmospheric thermodynamics for over 20 years and is a highly respected researcher. This book is an ideal text for short undergraduate courses taken as part of an atmospheric science, meteorology, physics or natural science program.

Preface
1. Basic definitions
2. Some useful mathematical and physical topics
3. Early experiments and laws
4. The first law of thermodynamics
5. The second law of thermodynamics
6. Water and its transformations
7. Moist air
8. Vertical stability in the atmosphere
9. Thermodynamic diagrams
10. Beyond this book
References
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Atmospheric physics [PHVJ]