Authors
JS Wright
Description
This chapter continues our review of the key thermodynamics concepts and formulae needed for understanding the atmosphere–ocean system. The vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, and density in the atmosphere are revisited. The thermodynamics of dry atmospheres are presented, including the concepts of buoyancy and stability and the nature of convection in dry atmospheres. The role of water in the atmosphere is described and the fundamental atmospheric thermodynamics are extended to moist atmospheres. We conclude with a brief look at radiative-convective equilibrium.