Atmospheric Science / Geography 050: INTRODUCTORY METEOROLOGY Dr Neil Fox 385 McReynolds Hall
This week TODAY –Important information –Overview of the course –Begin chapter 1 –For Atmospheric Science majors only! CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION Composition of the atmosphere Structure of the atmosphere
Meteorology Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and the processes that cause atmospheric motions and the weather (and climate)
Weather State of the atmosphere at a particular place and TIME What’s the temperature, precipitation, cloudiness, wind speed etc. Affects daily activity
Weather & Climate Weather is comprised of measured: a) air temperature b) air pressure c) humidity d) clouds e) precipitation f) visibility g) wind Climate represents long-term (e.g. 30 yr) averages of weather.
Weather and Climate Climate is –Long-term average of atmospheric variables –Such as Temperature Pressure Wind speed and direction Precipitation Others –And maxima, minima, extreme values, etc.
Climate Human activities (normal behavior, culture, architecture, agriculture) determined by climate The conditions we expect
Schedule In Waters Auditorium Monday, Wednesday, Friday pm Teaching Assistants Sara Ortbals, Justin Glisan Amanda Cox, Lindsey Fennewald
Texts Meteorology Today, 7 th Ed. by C. Donald Ahrens Other texts (many introductory meteorology texts) Workbook/Study guide for Meteorology Today (has been shown to improve grades) Websites
Assessment Tests x 3 Final Exam Weather journal Homeworks There may also be a few attendance quizzes, just to check
Test dates Exam #1: Friday, September 19 Exam #2: Friday, October 17 Exam #3:Wednesday, November 19 Final exam: As stated in course catalog. Thursday December 18, 1030
Weather Journal You are required to keep a weather journal Each day you should record –Maximum temperature –Minimum temperature –What the weather was like You can use any source of information BUT –YOU MUST REVEAL YOUR SOURCES
Weather Journal - Example Date: Maximum temperature: Minimum temperature: Conditions: Notes: Source:
Website atm050/atm050.htmlhttp://solberg.snr.missouri.edu/People/fox/ atm050/atm050.html Type it very carefully Contents to be decided –Course information –Links to useful websites
Course Outline See syllabus
Evolution of the Atmosphere “BIG BANG” 1. First atmosphere -- one of cosmic gases: H 2 - Hydrogen He - Helium CH 4 - Methane NH 3 - Ammonia H 2 O - Water Vapor CO 2 - Carbon Dioxide NO x - Oxides of Nitrogen
High temperatures probably drove off primeval atmosphere. 2. Second Atmosphere: Nothing -- similar to the moon 3. Third Atmosphere: Developed from secondary sources such as outgassing from volcanoes, geysers, cracks, fissures, etc.. Second and Third Atmospheres
Evolution of the Atmosphere H 2 O v - 68% CO % N 2, N0 x - 19% After the Earth cooled CO % H 2 O v - 15% N 2, NO x - 11% oceans rain Composition of Volcano Effluent As the earth cooled, the water vapor condensed and created the oceans, etc.
Evolution of the Atmosphere First bacteria evolved maybe four billion years ago (anaerobic). About 2-3 billion years ago green plants appeared in the oceans (algae). Why oceans? Because liquid water (H 2 O l ) screens out ultraviolet radiation (UV).
Evolution of the Atmosphere Photosynthesis: CO 2 + sunlight + chlorophyll O 2 + organic material
Evolution of the Atmosphere Billions of years before present 100 % 50 % 0% CO 2 O2O2 4 Approximate Composition
Evolution of the Atmosphere Current Atmosphere –N %Nitrogen –O %Oxygen –A - 1% Argon –CO %Carbon Dioxide –H 2 O v - 0 to 4%Water Vapor –Particulates, Trace gases
Summary Changes after plant life evolved: –CO 2 decreased via photosynthesis –O 2 increased via photosynthesis –A (Argon) increased via the radioactive decay of potassium –N 2 ??????? --- Hmmm, a mystery!
Atmospheric Science majors Please stay behind for important program related information Move to the front!
Meteorology Club Storm chase FIG AMS and Club: 1 st Meeting: September 10 Campus forecasting Freshman welcome: 4pm, Sept 3 SNR BBQ: 5.30pm, Aug 28 Fall Picnic at South Farm: TBA