Thermodinamics of Atmospheres and Oceans

Atmospheric and climatological studies are becoming more and more important in day-to-day living. Winds and ocean current owe their existence to the thermodynamic imbalances that arise from the differential heating of the Earth and air by the sun. Accounting for heat exchanges with the atmosphere and ocean is essential in any predictive model of the ocean and/or atmosphere. Thermodynamic feedback processes in the atmosphere and ocean are critical to understanding the overall stability of the Earth's climate and climate change. Water and its phase changes make the thermodynamics of the atmosphere and ocean uniquely interesting and challenging. Written by leading scientists in the field, Thermodynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans incorporates all the relevant information from the varying fields of dynamics meteorology, atmospheric physics and cloud physics, into a comprehensive, self-contained guide ideal for students and researchers of atmospheric thermodynamics. At the moment, courses in atmospheric thermdynamics typically have to use one or two chapters in textbooks on dynamic meteorology, atmospheric physics or cloud physics. This book combines these topics in one text. Front Cover Thermodynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans Copyright Page Contents Preface Acknowledgements Publisher's Credits Part I: Basic Concepts Chapter 1. Composition, Structure, and State 1.1 Composition of the Atmosphere 1.2 Composition of the Ocean 1.3 Pressure 1.4 Density 1.5 Temperature 1.6 Kinetic-Molecular Model of the Ideal Gas 1.7 Equation of State for Air 1.8 Equation of State for Seawater 1.9 Compressibility and Expansion Coefficients 1.10 Hydrostatic Equilibrium Notes Problems Chapter 2. First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics 2.1 Work 2.2 Heat 2.3 First Law 2.4 Applications of the First Law to Ideal Gases 2.5 Entropy 2.6 Second Law 2.7 Equilibrium and the Combined First and Second Laws 2.8 Calculation of Thermodynamic Relations 2.9 Heat Capacity 2.10 Dry Adiabatic Processes in the Atmosphere 2.11 Adiabatic Processes in the Ocean Notes Problems Chapter 3. Transfer Processes 3.1 Time-dependent Thermodynamics 3.2 Radiant Energy 3.3 Radiative Transfer 3.4 Diffusive Transfer Processes 3.5 Turbulence and Turbulent Transport 3.6 Time-dependent Equations for the Ocean and Atmosphere Notes Problems Chapter 4. Thermodynamics of Water 4.1 Molecular Structure and Properties of Water 4.2 Thermodynamic Degrees of Freedom 4.3 Phase Equilibria 4.4 Atmospheric Humidity Variables 4.5 Colligative Properties of Water Solutions 4.6 Simple Eutectics Notes Problems Chapter 5. Nucleation and Diffusional Growth 5.1 Surface Tension 5.2 Nucleation of the Liquid Phase 5.3 Nucleation of the Ice Phase 5.4 Diffusional Growth of Cloud Drops 5.5 Ice Crystal Morphology and Growth 5.6 Formation of the Initial Sea Ice Cover 5.7 Formation of Sea Ice Transition and Columnar Zones Notes Problems Part II: Applications Chapter 6. Moist Thermodynamic Processes in the Atmosphere 6.1 Combined First and Second Laws 6.2 Isobaric Cooling 6.3 Cooling and Moistening by Evaporation of Water 6.4 Saturation by Adiabatic, Isobaric Mixing 6.5 Saturated Adiabatic Cooling 6.6 The Ice Phase 6.7 Conserved Moist Thermodynamic Variables 6.8 Aerological Diagrams Notes Problems Chapter 7. Static Stability of the Atmosphere and Ocean 7.1 Stability Criteria 7.2 Stability of a Saturated Atmosphere 7.3 Processes Producing Changes in Stability Notes Problems Chapter 8. Cloud Characteristics and Processes 8.1 Cloud Classification and Characteristics 8.2 Precipitation Processes 8.3 Radiative Transfer in a Cloudy Atmosphere 8.4 Fogs, Stratus Clouds, and Stratocumulus Clouds 8.5 Cumuliform Clouds 8.6 Parameterization of Cloud Microphysical Processes Notes Problems Chapter 9. Ocean Surface Exchanges of Heat and Freshwater 9.1 Ocean Surface Energy Budget 9.2 Ocean Surface Salinity Budget 9.3 Ocean Surface Buoyancy Flux 9.4 Air Mass and Upper Water Mass Modification Notes Problems Chapter 10. Sea Ice, Snow and Glaciers 10.1 Large-scale Morphology of Sea Ice 10.2 Ice Thickness Distribution 10.3 Evolution of the Salinity Profile in Sea Ice 10.4 Thermal Properties of Sea Ice 10.5 Optical Properties of Sea Ice and Snow 10.6 Surface Energy Balance over Snow and Sea Ice 10.7 Growth and Decay of Sea Ice 10.8 Metamorphosis of Surface Snow 10.9 Glaciers Notes Problems Chapter 11. Thermohaline Processes in the Ocean 11.1 Radiative Transfer in the Ocean 11.2 Skin Temperature and the Diffusive Surface Layer 11.3 Surface Density Changes and the Ocean Mixed Layer 11.4 Instability and Mixing in the Ocean Interior 11.5 Oceanic Convection and Deep Water Formation 11.6 Global Thermohaline Circulations Notes Problems Part III: Special Topics Chapter 12. Global Energy and Entropy Balances 12.1 Planetary Radiation Balance 12.2 Global Heat Engine 12.3 Entropy and Climate 12.4 Global Hydrologic Cycle Notes Problems Chapter 13. Thermodynamic Feedbacks in the Climate System 13.1 Introduction to Feedback and Control Systems 13.2 Radiation Climate Sensitivity and Feedbacks 13.3 Water Vapor Feedback 13.4 Cloud-radiation Feedback 13.5 Snow/Ice-albedo Feedback 13.6 Thermodynamic Control of the Tropical Ocean Warm Pool 13.7 High-latitude Ocean Feedbacks Notes Chapter 14. Planetary Atmospheres 14.1 Atmospheric Composition and Mass 14.2 Vertical Structure of Planetary Atmospheres 14.3 Planetary Energy Balance 14.4 Water on the Terrestrial Planets 14.5 Cloud Physics of the Terrestrial Planets 14.6 Cloud Physics of the Jovian Planets 14.7 Surface Ice Notes Problems Appendices A. Notation B. Physical Constants C. Units and Their SI Equivalents D. Atmospheric Humidity Tables E. Atmospheric Thermodynamic Chart F. Properties of Seawater Answers to Selected Problems References Index International Geophysics Series Thermodynamics plays a fundamental part in atmospheric, climatological and oceanic studies. Winds and ocean currents owe their existence to the thermodynamic imbalances that arise from the differential heating of the Earth's surface and air by the sun. Phase changes of water in the atmosphere result in the formation of clouds and precipitation. Freezing and melting of seawater in high latitudes influences profoundly the exchange of radiant, sensible, and latent heat between the atmosphere and the oceans. Accounting for heat exchanges within the atmosphere and the ocean (and between the atmosphere and the ocean) is essential in any predictive model of the ocean and/or the atmosphere. Thermodynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans presents the first systematic and unifying approach to the thermodynamics of the atmosphere and ocean and establishes the interrelationship between these subjects. This simultaneous examination of the thermodynamics of the atmosphere and the ocean enriches our understanding of both, and is essential in many issues such as forecasting severe weather and understanding climate variability. Thermodynamics in Atmospheres and Oceans will serve as a text for introductory graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in atmospheric science and oceanography. The logical presentation of formulas, diagrams, and tables will prove valuable to researchers, practicing scientists and engineers working in the field. The eminently readable style includes both a reading list and problems to be solved at the end of each chapter to enforce the learning at each stage. Judith Curry and Peter Webster are based at the Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder, USA. Curry Webster are leading scientists in this field, which is scientists in this which is becoming more and more important in atmospheric and climatological studies. Winds and ocean current owe their existence to the thermodynamic imbalances that arise from the differential heating of the Earth and air by the sun. Accounting for heat exchanges with the atmosphere and ocean is essential in any predictive model of the ocean and/or atmosphere. Thermodynamic feedback processes in the atmosphere and ocean are critical to understanding the overall stability of the Earth's climate and climate change. Water and its phase changes make the thermodynamics of the atmosphere and ocean uniquely interesting and challenging.This text has been carefully planned and designed by the authors. At the moment, courses in atmospheric thermodynamics typically have to use one or two chapters in textbooks on dynamics meterology, atmospheric physics, or cloud physics. This book will fill this need. Thermodynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans presents the first systematic and unifying approach to the thermodynamics of the atmosphere and the ocean and establishes the interrelationship between these subjects. This simultaneous examination of the thermodynamics of the atmosphere and the ocean enriches our understanding of both, and is essential in many issues such as forecasting severe weather and understanding climate variability. Thermodynamics in Atmospheres and Oceans will serve as a text for introductory graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in atmospheric science and oceanography. The logical presentation of formulas, diagrams, and tables will prove valuable to researchers, practicing scientists and engineers working in the field.