Schedule¶
Here you can find the subject matter and assigned reading for every class day as well as expected homework and exam dates.
Please check back here frequently as the schedule is subject to change.
Note, the readings refer to sections in the Essentials text by Vallis unless otherwise stated.
Date (2021) |
Class No. |
Topic |
Reading |
Homework |
|---|---|---|---|---|
8/23 |
0 |
Course introduction; Mathematical tools for fluids (part 1) |
Martin ch. 1, Petty appendix B |
Self-assessment of mathematical skills |
8/25 |
1 |
Mathematical tools for fluids (part 2); dye swirling experiment In ETEC 175 for today only |
1.1 |
HW1 out |
8/30 |
2 |
Mass conservation |
1.2 |
|
9/01 |
3 |
Forces, momentum and equations of state |
1.3, 1.4 |
HW1 due; HW2 out |
9/06 |
NO CLASS (Labor Day) |
|||
9/08 |
4 |
Thermodynamics: 1st law, potential temperature, total energy budget |
1.5, 1.6 |
HW2 due; HW3 out |
9/13 |
5 |
Total energy budget |
1.7 |
|
9/15 |
6 |
Rotating frame of reference In ETEC 175 for today only |
HW3 due; HW4 out |
|
9/20 |
7 |
Equations of motion in the rotating frame |
2.1 |
|
9/22 |
8 |
Equations on the sphere, primitive equations & approximations |
2.2, 2.3 |
|
9/27 |
9 |
Scale height, Boussinesq approximation |
2.4, 2.5 |
HW4 due; HW5 out |
9/29 |
10 |
Pressure coordinates, scale analysis, hydrostatic balance |
2.6, 3.1, 3.2 |
|
10/04 |
11 |
Geostrophic balance, Taylor columns, thermal wind |
3.3 |
HW5 due |
10/06 |
12 |
Thermal wind in the tank, static stability, buoyancy frequency |
3.4 |
|
10/11 |
NO CLASS (Fall break) |
|||
10/13 |
MIDTERM EXAM |
HW6 out |
||
10/18 |
13 |
Shallow water equations |
4.1 |
|
10/20 |
14 |
Conservation of potential vorticity in shallow water; intro to waves |
4.2 |
|
10/25 |
15 |
Shallow water waves |
4.3 |
HW6 due; HW7 out |
10/27 |
16 |
Geostrophic adjustment |
4.4 |
|
11/01 |
17 |
Scaling for geostrophic motions |
5.1 |
|
11/03 |
18 |
Quasi-geostrophic equations in shallow water |
5.2 |
HW7 due; HW8 out |
11/08 |
19 |
Stratified quasi-geostrophic equations |
5.3, 5.5 |
|
11/10 |
20 |
Ekman layers (geostrophic friction) |
5.7 |
HW8 due; HW9 out |
11/15 |
21 |
Invertibility of QGPV and the beta effect |
||
11/17 |
22 |
Phase speed, group velocity, and Rossby waves |
6.1, 6.2, 6.3 |
HW9 due; HW10 out |
11/22 |
23 |
Rossby waves in the tank and in the atmosphere |
||
11/24 |
NO CLASS (Thanksgiving break) |
|||
11/29 |
24 |
Internal waves: derivation |
7.1 |
|
12/01 |
25 |
Internal waves: properties and phase relationships |
7.2 |
HW10 due |
12/06 |
26 |
Review for final exam |
The FINAL EXAM will be held on Tuesday 12/14/2021, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM.