The atmosphere and ocean : a physical introduction

Description

The Atmosphere and Ocean is a fully revised and updated student friendly physical introduction to the atmosphere and ocean. Now in its Third Edition, the book continues to provide students with an accessible description of the atmosphere and ocean with emphasis on their physical properties and inter-dependence. Clearly structured throughout, the book demonstrates that the atmosphere and ocean are both subject to the influence of the earth's rotation and therefore they have a common dynamical basis. The author clearly demonstrates the fundamental differences between the two environments and prov.  Read more... The Atmosphere and Ocean; Contents; Series Foreword; Preface to the Third Edition; 1 The Earth within the Solar System; 1.1 The Sun and its constancy; 1.2 Orbital variations in solar radiation; 1.3 Radiative equilibrium temperature; 1.4 Thermal inertia of the atmosphere; 1.5 Albedo; 1.6 The topography of the Earth's surface; 2 Composition and Physical Properties of the Ocean and Atmosphere; 2.1 Evolution of the atmosphere and ocean; 2.2 Present-day composition of sea water; 2.3 Introduction to gases and liquids; 2.4 Hydrostatic equilibrium; 2.5 Adiabatic changes and potential temperature. 2.6 Vertical stability of the ocean and atmosphere3 Radiation, Temperature and Stability; 3.1 Vertical variation of atmospheric constituents; 3.2 The attenuation of solar radiation; 3.3 Absorption of planetary radiation; 3.4 Vertical temperature profile and its relation to radiation; 3.5 The absorption of solar radiation in the ocean; 3.6 Diurnal and seasonal temperature cycles in the ocean; 4 Water in the Atmosphere; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 The moist atmosphere; 4.3 Measurement and observation of water vapour; 4.4 Stability in a moist atmosphere. 4.5 Processes of precipitation and evaporation: The formation of clouds4.6 Macroscopic processes in cloud formation; 5 Global Budgets of Heat, Water and Salt; 5.1 The measurement of heat budgets at the surface; 5.2 Observations of surface heat fluxes and budgets; 5.3 The measurement of the water budget; 5.4 Observations of the water budget; 5.5 The salt budget of the ocean; 5.6 Temperature and salinity relationships in the ocean; 5.7 Tracers in the ocean; 6 Observations of Winds and Currents; 6.1 Measurement of winds and currents; 6.2 Scales of motion in the atmosphere and ocean. 6.3 Time averaged circulation6.4 Time-dependent motion; 7 The Influence of the Earth's Rotation on Fluid Motion; 7.1 An introduction to the Earth's rotation; 7.2 Inertial motion; 7.3 Pressure gradients and geostrophic motion; 7.4 Vorticity and circulation; 7.5 The atmosphere and ocean boundary layers; 7.6 Equatorial winds and currents; 8 Waves and Tides; 8.1 The spectrum of surface waves; 8.2 Wind waves and swell; 8.3 Long waves; 8.4 Internal waves; 8.5 Ocean tides; 8.6 Storm surges; 8.7 Atmospheric waves and tides; 9 Energy Transfer in the Ocean-Atmosphere System. 9.1 Modes of energy in the ocean-atmosphere system9.2 The kinetic energy of the atmosphere and ocean; 9.3 Mechanisms of kinetic energy transfer; 9.4 General circulation of the atmosphere; 9.5 General circulation of the ocean; 10 Mathematical Modelling of the Ocean and Atmosphere; 10.1 Introduction; 10.2 Scientific modelling: A simple model of the surface layer of the ocean; 10.3 A dynamical model of the ocean surface layer; 10.4 Numerical solutions of mathematical models; 10.5 Numerical solutions for momentum on a rotating Earth; 10.6 Atmospheric and climate general circulation models