Meteorology 341 - Fall 2020

Atmospheric Physics I

http://www.meteor.iastate.edu/classes/mt341

Instructor: Prof. Xiaoqing Wu

wuxq@iastate.edu, 3011 Agronomy,  294-9872 [tel]

Meeting time and place: MWF 8:50am-9:40am, G0541 Agronomy Hall

Office hours: MWF 10am - 11am (by emails or phone call)

Course Objectives

This course will cover atmospheric thermodynamics and hydrostatics, with emphasis on understanding the basic concepts and physical processes. Cloud physics will be briefly introduced in the last week of the semester and further discussion will be continued in Mteor 342. Building a solid foundation in physical principles and developing self-learning and thinking skills are the goals.

Course Design

Students are expected to come to class prepared to participate actively in the learning process. As in any professional organization, absences should be justified and promptness is standard procedure. Your homework should be done with pride and submitted on time. The policy for late assignments is stated below.

Textbooks

References

Homeworks

Exams

Grading

Course Outline

1. Introduction

2. Basic Concepts of Thermodynamics

3. The First law

4. The Second law

5. Heterogeneous Systems

Midterm Exam

6. Moist Air

7. Hydrostatic Equilibrium

8. Hydrostatic Stability

9. Cloud Physics

Final Exam

Students Needing Disability Accommodation

Iowa State University is committed to assuring that all educational activities are free from discrimination and harassment based on disability status. All students requesting accommodations are required to meet with staff in Student Disability Resources (SDR) to establish eligibility. A Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form will be provided to eligible students. The provision of reasonable accommodations in this course will be arranged after timely delivery of the SAAR form to the instructor. Students are encouraged to deliver completed SAAR forms as early in the semester as possible. SDR, a unit in the Dean of Students Office, is located in room 1076, Student Services Building or online at www.dso.iastate.edu/dr/. Contact SDR by e-mail at disabilityresources@iastate.edu or by phone at 515-294-7220 for additional information.

COVID-19 health and safety requirements

Students are responsible for abiding by the university’s COVID-19 health and safety expectations. All students attending this class in-person are required to:

• properly wear a face covering and/or face shield, covering the nose and mouth, while in classrooms, laboratories, studios, offices, and other learning spaces. It is important to remember that a face covering and/or face shield is required to be worn whenever you are on campus, in the presence of others, and unable to maintain physical distance.

• practice physical distancing to the extent possible;

• assist in maintaining a clean and sanitary environment;

• not attend class if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19;

• not attend class if you have been told to self-isolate or quarantine by a health official.

• follow the faculty member’s guidance with respect to these requirements. Failure to comply constitutes disruptive classroom conduct. Faculty and teaching assistants have the authority to deny a non-compliant student entry into a classroom, laboratory, studio, conference room, office, or other learning space.

Students should make every effort to notify the instructor prior to the class period if they will be missing class. If a student is unable to notify the instructor prior to class and expect to make up the missed work, they should notify the instructor no later than one week after the absence. In the event a student misses several class periods due to severe illness and is unable to notify the instructor within the one week timeframe, a doctor’s note or other documentation of illness may be requested. If the student misses the last two weeks of the semester due to illness, a plan for an incomplete grade will be created.