An Introduction to Atmospheric Thermodynamics

by Anastasios Tsonis

Overview

This is a self-contained, concise, rigorous book introducing the reader to the basics of atmospheric thermodynamics. This new edition has been brought completely up to date and reorganized to improve the quality and flow of the material. The introductory chapters provide definitions and useful mathematical and physical notes to help readers understand the basics. The book then describes the topics relevant to atmospheric processes, including the properties of moist air and atmospheric stability. It concludes with a brief introduction to the problem of weather forecasting and the relevance of thermodynamics. Each chapter contains worked examples and student exercises, with solutions available to instructors on a password protected website at www.cambridge.org/9780521796767. The author has taught atmospheric thermodynamics for over 20 years and is a highly respected researcher. This book is an ideal text for short undergraduate courses taken as part of an atmospheric science, meteorology, physics or natural science program.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781139930758
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/02/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

ANASTASIOS TSONIS is a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. His main research interests include nonlinear dynamical systems and their application in climate, climate variability, predictability, and nonlinear time series analysis. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union, and the European Geosciences Union.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Basic definitions; 2. Some useful mathematical and physical topics; 3. Early experiments and laws; 4. The first law of thermodynamics; 5. The second law of thermodynamics; 6. Water and its transformations; 7. Moist air; 8. Vertical stability in the atmosphere; 9. Thermodynamic diagrams; 10. Beyond this book; References; Appendix; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Tsonis' (atmospherical sciences, U. of Wisconsin, Milwaukie) text is designed for use in a semester undergraduate course in atmospheric thermodynamics. It provides the student with the basics of the topic, in preparation for further study at the next level. Coverage begins with basic definitions and useful mathematical and physical notes employed throughout the text, followed by classical thermodynamical issues, the thermodynamics of water, the properties of moist air and its role in atmospheric processes, atmospheric stability, thermodynamic tools for visualizing thermodynamic processes, and the relevance of thermodynamics to weather prediction. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"...clear and well laid out... Each of the ten chapters builds on the previous one, allowing the book to be worked through systematically. Each chapter contains useful worked examples in addition to a number of problems.... Recommended." - R.J. Barthelmie, CHOICE

"...the author talks to the sutdents without sacrificing rigor. He has included many good examples at the end of each chapter; these examples are, so to speak, application notes...problems are given too, to tease and torture the students. In general, the pace is unhurried and unforbidding...the book has a niche as a first exposure beyond basic physics to the marvelous complexities of the gaseous atmosphere." —Bulletin of American Meteorological Society

From the Publisher