MT2AP: Atmospheric Physics

Module code: MT2AP

Module provider: Meteorology; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Chris Westbrook, email: c.d.westbrook@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Claire Ryder, email: c.l.ryder@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE MT1WCF OR TAKE MT11D OR TAKE MT1WCFNU OR TAKE MT11DNU (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module deals with the atmospheric physics of radiative transfer and cloud processes. The aim of the first part of this module is to describe the processes by which Earth receives energy from the sun and maintains radiation balance through a balance of solar and thermal energy. We cover the basics of radiative transfer and how radiation from the sun or earth passes through a medium such as the Earth’s atmosphere, different types of cloud and aerosol particles. We gain an enhanced appreciation for the colours and appearance of the atmosphere. The aim of the second part of this module is to develop a fundamental understanding of the physical processes in clouds, and how water particles form and evolve.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe and calculate radiative processes governing the Earth’s Radiation budget qualitatively and mathematically.
2. Evaluate which radiative processes are most important under a range of different atmospheric conditions and how these determine the visual appearance of the atmosphere.
3. Describe and quantitatively explore the formation of liquid and ice cloud particles, the evolution of those particles within the cloud, and the development of precipitation.
4. Be able to describe how these processes are represented in numerical models, and how cloud properties can be observed.

Module content

Water in the atmosphere; concept of saturation and its relationship to clouds; nucleation of cloud droplets and soluble aerosols; growth of drops, the mechanisms of cloud glaciation, development of precipitation as rain, snow, graupel and hail, and their representation in forecasting models; electrification of storms, orographic enhancement of precipitation and weather modification; definition of basic radiation quantities, solar and thermal infrared emission of radiation, introduction to scattering and absorption, single and multiple scattering, spectroscopy, absorption and emission of radiation, the radiative transfer equation and heating rates.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The radiative transfer content will be delivered through a combination of lectures with active learning and seminars/problem solving classes. Further reading, self study and contribution to online discussion boards will be expected. There will be at least three sessions involving groupwork and at least one hands-on session where the students are expected to work with data/models to develop their understanding of radiation processes.

Cloud physics will delivered through lectures, along with further reading and self study. Weekly problems classes will provide the opportunity to gain experience of practical application of theory with assistance of lecturer and demonstrator.

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Radiative Transfer

• Unassessed problem sheets with answers provided. Example answers and working covered in lectures/seminars
• Weekly self-scheduled problem solving exercises with answers provided
• In-lecture multiple choice questions to encourage critical thinking, develop understanding

Cloud Physics

• Formative weekly problem sheets, worked through in dedicated class, with assistance from lecturer and demonstrator.

Reassessment

Additional costs