Thermal Physics of the Atmosphere

Thermal Physics of the Atmosphere, Second Edition offers a concise and thorough introduction on how basic thermodynamics naturally leads to advanced topics in atmospheric physics. Chapters cover the basics of thermodynamics and its applications in atmospheric science and describe major applications, specifically more specialized areas of atmospheric physics, including vertical structure and stability, cloud formation and radiative processes. The book is fully revised, featuring informative sections on radiative transfer, thermodynamic cycles, the historical context to potential temperature concept, vertical thermodynamic coordinates, dewpoint temperature, the Penman equation, and entropy of moist air.

This book is a necessary guide for students (graduate, advanced undergraduate, master’s level) of atmospheric science, meteorology, climate science and researchers in these fields.

1. Ideal gases 2. The first and second laws 3. General applications 4. The atmosphere under gravity 5. Water in the atmosphere 6. Vertical structure of the moist atmosphere 7. Cloud drops 8. Mixtures and solutions 9. Thermal radiation 10. Radiative transfer 11. Non-equilibrium processes

Appendix A. Functions of several variables B. Thermodynamic diagrams