Zeroth and First Law of Thermodynamics
In this unit, we will look at how to measure temperature in the atmosphere and identify how the first law of thermodynamics can be applied to the atmosphere, i.e. which atmospheric terms correspond to heat, work, and chemical potential.
This unit is an important step towards the derivation of the energy equation and equation for temperature prediction (as used in numerical models), which we need to describe the thermal conditions of the atmosphere.
Learning goal
After this unit the student is able to
- Apply the zeroth and first law of thermodynamics to analyze atmospheric thermodynamics.
- Identify the meteorological processes that correspond to work, chemical potential and heat, i.e. how to express the first law of thermodynamics in meteorological terms.
Students’ Tasks
- All students: Watch this video on the material. You can download the slides of the video at this link.
- All students: Read chapter 2.4 to 2.5.5.4 (included) of Lectures in Meteorology
- Participate in the discussion channel of this unit on the discussion board. It’s mandatory!
- Be able to present the material learned in a phone conference
- ATM401: Fill out the questionnaire by Thursday 2359 AST. ATM601/CHEM601: Summarize the material, copy it in this form and answer the questions therein by Thursday 2359 AST.
- All students: Solve the respective tasks assigned at your class level in this Unit 3 problem sheet, scan your solutions and submit them to cmoelders@alaska.edu by Thursday 2359 AST.
- Take the quiz. It will be graded.
Supplemental material
Student self assessment (optional)
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