12.003 Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans, Fall 2007
Name
12-003Fall-2007/OcwWeb/Earth--Atmospheric--and-Planetary-Sciences/12-003Fall-2007/CourseHome/index.htm
Size
15.01 KB
Format
HTML
Checksum (MD5)
7ac19013e5c917a181878393fcc71d8d
Author(s)
Marshall, John C.
Alternative Title
Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans
Date Issued
December 2007
Abstract
The laws of classical mechanics and thermodynamics are used to explore how the properties of fluids on a rotating Earth manifest themselves in, and help shape, the global patterns of atmospheric winds, ocean currents, and the climate of the Earth. Theoretical discussion focuses on the physical processes involved. Underlying mechanisms are illustrated through laboratory demonstrations, using a rotating table, and through analysis of atmospheric and oceanic data.
Subjects
Characteristics of the atmosphere
global energy balance
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gases
Atmospheric layers
pressure and density
Convection
adiabatic lapse rate
Humidity
Convective clouds
Temperature
Pressure and geopotential height
Winds
Fluids in motion
Hydrostatic balance
Incompressible flow
compressible flow
radial inflow
Geostrophic motion
Taylor-Proudman Theorem
Ekman layer
Coriolis force
Rossby number
Hadley circulation
ocean
seawater
salinity
geostrophic and hydrostatic balance
inhomogeneity
Abyssal circulation
thermohaline circulation
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Terms of Use
Persistent DSpace Link
