MT2AP: Atmospheric Physics

Module code: MT2AP

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

Credits: 20

Level: 5

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: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 29 April 2025

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. Both parts of the module will be taught in parallel across the semester.

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. 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