The Physics of Atmospheres

Front Cover
CUP Archive, May 26, 1977 - Science - 203 pages
Dr Houghton has revised the acclaimed first edition of The Physics of Atmospheres in order to bring this important textbook completely up-to-date. Several factors have led to vigorous growth in the atmospheric sciences, particularly the availability of powerful computers for detailed modelling, the investigation of the atmospheres of other planets, and techniques of remote sensing. The author describes the physical processes governing the structure and circulation of the atmosphere. Simple physical models are constructed by applying the principles of classical thermodynamics, radiative transfer and fluid mechanics, together with analytic and numerical techniques. These models are applied to real planetary atmospheres. This new edition is essential for undergraduates or graduate students studying atmospheric physics, climatology or meteorology, as well as planetary scientists with an interest in atmospheres.
 

Contents

A radiative equilibrium model
8
Thermodynamics
17
More complex radiation transfer
31
The upper atmosphere
46
Clouds
67
Dynamics
74
Atmospheric waves
87
Turbulence
103
The general circulation
115
Numerical modelling
134
Global observation
146
Atmospheric predictability and climatic change
160
Bibliography
187
Answers to problems and hints to their solution
193
Copyright

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Page 188 - Quart. /. R. Met. Soc., 84, pp. 205-224. 1969 ' The atmospheric boundary layer in relation to large scale dynamics.

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