Atmospheric Physics

Course Information
TitleΦυσική της Ατμόσφαιρας / Atmospheric Physics
CodeNGMCM102Y
FacultySciences
SchoolGeology
Cycle / Level2nd / Postgraduate
Teaching PeriodWinter/Spring
CommonNo
StatusActive
Course ID600025524

Programme of Study: PMS METEŌROLOGIA, KLIMATOLOGIA KAI ATMOSFAIRIKO PERIVALLON 2024-2029

Registered students: 10
OrientationAttendance TypeSemesterYearECTS
KORMOSCompulsory Course117
Class Information
Academic Year2025 – 2026
Class PeriodWinter
Faculty Instructors
Instructors from Other Categories
Weekly Hours3
Total Hours39
Class ID
600281674
Course Type 2021
Specific Foundation
Mode of Delivery
  • Face to face
Digital Course Content
Language of Instruction
  • Greek (Instruction, Examination)
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of all the course lectures the students will have the skills of: To understand the basic principles of atmospheric physics as described in the course syllabus.
General Competences
  • Apply knowledge in practice
  • Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
  • Work autonomously
  • Work in teams
Course Content (Syllabus)
Thermodynamic systems. Thermodynamic laws and processes for dry and moist atmospheric air. Adiabatic and non-adiabatic changes in the atmosphere. Clausius-Clapeyron equation. Adiabatic lapse rate for dry, unsaturated moist, and saturated moist air masses. Poisson’s equation, potential temperature, entropy, and enthalpy of atmospheric air. Thermodynamic diagrams, Tephigrams. Conditions of static equilibrium in the atmosphere. Air parcel method. Empirical instability indices. Orbital movements of the sun, Solar spectrum, Electromagnetic waves and fields, Radiometric quantities, Thermal radiation, Effective temperature of the planet, Greenhouse effect, Brightness temperature, Radiation laws, Phenomena of radiation-matter interactions in the atmosphere (reflection, refraction, scattering), Simple radiation propagation model, Applications. Condensation and saturation processes. Cloud condensation nuclei, ice nuclei, and atmospheric aerosols. Clouds of continental and maritime origin. Homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation. Köhler curve. Rain formation through collision and coalescence (warm rain). Supercooling state. Ice crystal development and rain formation (cold rain process). Collision and aggregation of ice crystals (accretion). Mechanisms of secondary ice nucleus production. Forms of ice crystals.
Keywords
atmospheric physcis, atmospheric thermodynamics, static equilibrium in the atmosphere, solar and terrestrial radiation, radiation-matter interactions, radiation propagation, greenhouse effect, saturation and condensation, rain formation
Educational Material Types
  • Notes
  • Slide presentations
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
  • Use of ICT in Course Teaching
  • Use of ICT in Communication with Students
  • Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Description
All class material is available in electronic form to all students through the course web page. 2) The teacher communicates with students through e-mail.
Course Organization
ActivitiesWorkloadECTSIndividualTeamworkErasmus
Lectures168✓
Written assigments40✓
Exams2✓
Total210
Student Assessment
Description
Written final exam (80%) and assignment/project (20%)
Student Assessment methods
  • Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
  • Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
  • Written Assignment (Formative, Summative)
  • Written Exam with Problem Solving (Formative, Summative)
Bibliography
Additional bibliography for study
1)Fundamentals of Weather and Climate, Robin McIlveen, Chapman and Hall, London, 1992. 2) A first course in Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Grant W. Petty, Sundog Publishing, Madison Wisconsin, 2008. 3) A first course in Atmospheric Radiation, Gant Petty ISBN-13: 978-0972903318
Last Update
25-09-2025