Elementary Meteorology Online
Chapter 2 - Atmospheric composition and structure


Course readings

The following readings will form the basis of quizzes and investigations in this chapter.

Text reading

  • Chapter 2: Atmospheric Composition and Structure pp. 28 -30, pp. 33-42, p.45-47 Evolution of the atmosphere: Modern phase/ Monitoring the atmosphere/ Temperature profile of the atmosphere/The Ionosphere and the Aurora/The Atmosphere of Mars/Radio Transmission in the Ionosphere

    • Reading weather maps

    WW2010: Reading weather maps Jetstream: How to read surface maps*
    * Includes a complete list of surface observation symbols. You do not need to remember all of these.

    Atmospheric composition

  • Jetstream
  • PhysicalGeography.net

    • Atmospheric structure: Vertical Profile

  • Lecture summary(scroll through pages)
  • Atmospheric pressure
  • Pressure variation with height
  • Temperature Variation with height
  • Layers of the Atmosphere

    Ionosphere, Aurora, and Space Weather

  • Ionosphere(Jetstream)
  • Radiowaves (Jetstream)
  • Space Weather Basics (COMET)*

    *Very spectacular 20 minute multimedia presentation; might be fun to see it on the big screen during tutorial.

    • Investigation 2B Materials

    • Blank Stuve Diagram
    • Data for Standard Atmosphere
      Altitude (km)
      		Temperature (C)

      16
      		-56.5

      11
      		-56.5

      0
      		15.0