Atmospheric Vertical Structure and the First Law of Thermodynamics

Abstract: This sequential set of in-class and homework problems concerns applications of the First Law of Thermodynamics. In the homework, students are first asked to compute and plot potential temperatures of specified adiabats. In a second assignment, the potential temperature from an observed sounding is computed and plotted to develop a framework for understanding the stratification of the atmosphere. These activities are intended to help students discover the importance and utility of conservation principles derived from the First Law of Thermodynamics. In addition, they provide a first step in evolving from the p-V diagrams the students have seen in their physics coursework toward the thermodynamic diagrams used in meteorology. This activity was peer reviewed by participants at the 2004 Teaching Quantitative Skills in a Geoscience Context Workshop at Carleton College. The website provides teaching notes and tips, downloadable materials, and suggestions for activity assessment.