MT4ESW: Atmospheric Electricity and Space Weather

Module code: MT4ESW

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

Credits: 20

Level: Level 4 (Undergraduate Masters)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Keri Nicoll, email: k.a.nicoll@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Matt Owens, email: m.j.owens@reading.ac.uk

Additional teaching staff 1: Professor Chris Scott, email: chris.scott@reading.ac.uk

Additional teaching staff 2: Professor Giles Harrison, email: r.g.harrison@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( TAKE MT1SES AND TAKE MT2AP ) OR ( TAKE MT12C AND TAKE MT24B ) (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 introduces the physics of space weather and atmospheric electricity. It describes the natural hazards associated with meteorological phenomena of thunderstorm electrification and lightning, as well as from the magnetically-driven variability of our nearest star. Methods for predicting and mitigating these hazards are discussed.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Understand the origins of space weather disturbances, the atmospheric electric circuit, thunderstorm electrification and lightning discharge
2. Demonstrate knowledge of lightning and space weather effects on modern systems and humans
3. Critically assess the effectiveness of methods and procedures to monitor, predict and mitigate space weather and lightning risks.
4. Utilise concepts of electrostatics, electrodynamics and plasma physics to solve quantitative problems in space weather and atmospheric electricity

Module content

• Charge, electric and magnetic fields, and single-particle motion
• Plasmas: the fourth, and most ubiquitous state of matter in the cosmos;
• Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism
• The solar corona and the solar wind
• Coronal mass ejections and solar energetic particles
• The magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere
• Space weather impacts
• Cloud electrification and lightning
• Troposphere - upper atmosphere interaction
• Lightning hazards, risks and mitigation
• Ionisation in the lower atmosphere
• The global atmospheric electric circuit

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures on atmospheric electricity

Three practical sessions, including experiments on:

• Calibration of a field mill for environmental use
• Lightning detection techniques
• Investigation of the electric field mill
• St Elmo’s fire and the point discharge current.

Lectures on space weather physics

Practical classes focussed on quantitative problem solving in space physics

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 50% 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.

An un-assessed problem sheet will be completed by the students and the answers discussed during lectures. Model answers will be provided for this problem sheet. This will be used as practice for the four assessed problem sheets.

Initial assessment of practical classes.

Self-Assessment quizzes on Atmos Elect lectures.

Reassessment

Additional costs