Preface
Acknowledgements
1. The Study of the Atmosphere
1.1 Weather and Climate
1.2 The Earth System
1.3 The Role of Science
1.4 The Role of Math: A Language and a Tool
1.5 The Structure of the Atmosphere
1.6 Chapter Summary
2. The Composition of the
Atmosphere
2.1 The Chemical Composition of Air
2.2 Gases in the Climate System
2.3 Atmospheric Aerosols
2.4 The Formation and Evolution of the Atmosphere
2.5 Air Pollution
2.6 Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone
2.7 Chapter Summary
3. The Behaviour of the
Atmosphere
3.1 The Kinetic Theory of Matter
3.2 The Ideal Gas Law
3.3 Hydrostatic Balance
3.4 The Influence of Temperature on Pressure Distribution
3.5 Weather Forecasting and the Role of Weather Maps
3.6 Chapter Summary
4. Energy
4.1 Energy Transfer
4.2 Sensible
Heat and Latent Heat
4.3 The First Law of Thermodynamics
4.4 Heat Transfer
4.5 Chapter Summary
5. Radiation
5.1 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
5.2 Emission of Radiation
5.3 Reflection, Absorption, and Transmission of Radiation
5.4 Solar, or Shortwave, Radiation
5.5
Chapter Summary
6. Energy Balance
6.1 Planetary Energy Balance
6.2 The Radiative Properties of Clouds
6.3 Latitudinal Radiative Imbalances
6.4 Surface Energy Balance
6.5 Chapter Summary
7. Water Vapour
7.1 Evaporation and Condensation
7.2 Saturation Vapour
Pressure
7.3 How Air Becomes Saturated
7.4 Absolute Measures of Humidity
7.5 Relative Measures of Humidity
7.6 Methods of Measuring Atmospheric Humidity
7.7 Humidity and Human Comfort
7.8 Chapter Summary
8. Adiabatic Lapse Rates and Atmospheric Stability
8.1 Adiabatic
Processes
8.2 Thermodynamic Diagrams
8.3 Stability Types
8.4 Factors Influencing Stability
8.5 Stability Conditions over a Clear Day
8.6 Atmospheric Stability and Air Pollution
8.7 Chapter Summary
9. Condensation
9.1 The Formation of Water Droplets in the
Atmosphere
9.2 The Formation of Ice Crystals in the Atmosphere
9.3 Clouds
9.4 Fogs
9.5 Chapter Summary
10. Precipitation
10.1 Cloud Droplets versus Raindrops
10.2 Growth of Cloud Droplets
10.3 Precipitation Types
10.4 Snow-Making
10.5 The Distribution and
Character of Precipitation
10.6 Chapter Summary
11. Winds
11.1 Forces That Influence Atmospheric Motion
11.2 The Winds
11.3 Variation of Geostrophic Winds with Height
11.4 Local Winds
11.5 Wind Chill
11.6 Chapter Summary
12. The Planetary Circulation
System
12.1 Transport of Energy and Momentum
12.2 Global Pressure and Wind Patterns
12.3 Explaining the Planetary Circulation
12.4 Ocean Currents
12.5 Climate Oscillations
12.6 Chapter Summary
13. Air Masses and Fronts
13.1 Formation of Air Masses
13.2
Classification of Air Masses
13.3 Fronts
13.4 Chapter Summary
14. Storms
14.1 Mid-latitude Cyclones
14.2 Tropical Cyclones: Hurricanes
14.3 Thunderstorms
14.4 Chapter Summary
15. Climate Change
15.1 A Short History of Earth's Climate
15.2 The Human Impact on
Climate
15.3 Anthropogenic Forcings on Climate
15.4 Observed Changes in the Earth System
15.5 Projected Changes in the Earth System
15.6 Actions on Climate Change
15.7 Chapter Summary
Appendix A: Guide to Weather Station Symbols
Appendix B: Answers to Practice Problems
(print only)
Glossary
Index
PowerPoint Slides
Test Generator and Test Bank
Videos
Ebook available: ISBN 9780199037971
Sheila Ross was an instructor at Capilano University but is now retired.
