Atmospheric physics
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:Atmospheric sciences Atmospheric physics is the application of physics to the study of the atmosphere. Atmospheric physicists attempt to model Earth's atmosphere and the atmospheres of the other planets using fluid flow equations, chemical models, radiation balancing, and energy transfer processes in the atmosphere (as well as how these tie in to other systems such as the oceans). In order to model weather systems, atmospheric physicists employ elements of scattering theory, wave propagation models, cloud physics, statistical mechanics and spatial statistics which are highly mathematical and related to physics.
It has close links to meteorology and climatology and also covers the design and construction of instruments for studying the atmosphere and the interpretation of the data they provide, including remote sensing instruments.
In the UK, atmospheric studies are underpinned by the Meteorological Office. Divisions of the U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversee research projects and weather modeling involving atmospheric physics.
See also
- Adiabatic lapse rate
- Atmospheric electricity
- Baroclinic instability
- Barotropic instability
- Barotropic vorticity equation
- David Bates (physicist)
- Convective instability
- Effect of sun angle on climate
- Euler equations
- Geostrophic wind
- Hydrostatic balance
- Kelvin-Helmholtz instability
- Navier Stokes equations
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
- Potential vorticity
- Pressure gradient force
- Primitive equations
- Rossby number
- Rossby radius of deformation
- Space weather
- Thermal wind
- Vorticity equationTemplate:Climate-stub
Template:Physics-stub Template:Fluiddynamics-stub
cs:Aeronomie pl:Fizyka atmosfery ru:Физика атмосферы zh:大气物理学