Open AccessThermodynamics of the Atmosphere: A Course in Theoretical Meteorology
Author(s) -
Curry Judith
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2004eo470005
Subject(s) - non equilibrium thermodynamics , thermodynamics , laws of thermodynamics , statistical physics , first law of thermodynamics , atmosphere (unit) , entropy production , entropy (arrow of time) , physics , theoretical physics
This book is formulated around the derivation of prognostic equations for temperature, and is designed to complement the authors' previous text, Dynamics of the Atmosphere (Cambridge, 2003). Entropy production equations are developed to aid in the treatment of flux terms in the temperature equations. A distinguishing feature of this book is a treatment of the linear theory of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. In the second half of the text, moist thermodynamic processes are introduced using fairly standard treatments, including thermodynamic diagrams, humidity variables, and moist adiabats. It is useful to compare the text by Zdunkowski and Bott with two other books that have been published in the past 5 years. Atmospheric Thermodynamics , by Bohren and Albrecht (Cambridge, 1999), is written from a physics perspective, and emphasizes a basic physical understanding of thermodynamical principles relevant to atmospheric science. Thermodynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans , by Curry and Webster (Academic, 1999), provides a physical chemistry perspective, and emphasizes applications of relevance to climate and atmospheric and oceanic chemistry.