12.003 | Fall 2008 | Undergraduate

Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Dynamics

Readings

Marshall, John, and R. Alan Plumb. Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics: An Introductory Text. Boston, MA: Elsevier Academic Press, 2007. ISBN: 9780125586917.

Table of contents (PDF)

SES # TOPICS READINGS
1 Introduction Introduction
2 Characteristics of the atmosphere Chapter 1
3 Equation of state for the dry and moist air Chapter 1
4 Earth’s radiation budget Chapter 2
5 Greenhouse effect: I Chapter 2
6 Greenhouse effect: II Chapter 2
7 Vertical structure of the atmosphere Chapter 3
8 Convection in water Chapter 4
9 Convection in water (cont.) Chapter 4
10 Convection in water (cont.) Chapter 4
11 Dry convection in air Chapter 4
12 Potential temperature Chapter 4
13 Moist convection in air: I Chapter 4
14 Moist convection in air: II Chapter 4
15 Meridional structure of the atmosphere Chapter 5
16 Partial differential equations Chapter 6
17 Radial inflow experiment Chapter 6
18 Equations of motion for non-rotating fluids Chapter 6
19 Equations of motion for rotating fluids Chapter 6
20 Inertial motions Chapter 6
21 Equations of motion on a sphere Chapter 6
22 Geostrophic balance Chapter 7
23 Taylor-Proudman theorem Chapter 7
24 Thermal wind Chapter 7
25 Ekman layers Chapter 7
26 The general circulation of the atmosphere Chapter 8
27 Physical characteristics of the ocean Chapter 9
28 The observed ocean circulation Chapter 9
29 Ekman layers in the ocean Chapter 10
30 Ekman layers in the laboratory Chapter 10
31 Taylor-Proudman on the sphere Chapter 10
32 The wind driven ocean circulation Chapter 10
33 The abyssal ocean circulation Chapter 11
34 Turbulent mixing and the abyssal ocean circulation Chapter 12
35 The atmospheric and oceanic energy budget Chapter 12
36 The Earth’s heat budget Chapter 12
37 Review  
38 Review (cont.)  

Course Info

As Taught In
Fall 2008
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Demonstration Videos
Simulations
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