ATM 404/504 Atmospheric Thermodynamics

Credits: 2 or 3

This course will cover topics related to the thermodynamics of the atmosphere, particularly as they apply to a parcel of air. It will include the ideal gas law, the first and second laws of thermodynamics, adiabatic transformations, entropy, thermodynamic properties of water in its three phases, and effects of water vapor on thermodynamics of atmospheric processes. The final third of the course will introduce vertical stability and atmospheric thermodynamic diagrams.

Prerequisites: PHYS 211 and MATH 225 MEM students may substitute MATH 205 for MATH 225 or permission of instructor. For ATM 504, graduate standing is required.
Notes: Students enrolled in ATM 504 will be held to a higher standard than those enrolled in ATM 404. The 3 credit section satisfies both the general requirements for IS-ATM B.S. program and the meteorology distribution requirement for the ATM M.S. program. The 2 credit section satisfies the requirements for the MEM B.S. program.

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