C8409 - MICROPHYSICAL PROCESSES

Learning outcomes

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental microphysical processes that occur in the atmosphere and affect the formation, structure, and dynamics of clouds and precipitation. The mechanisms of the water phase transition and the role of aerosol particles will be studied, as well as the mechanical properties of particulate matter and hydrometeors. We will also examine the primary techniques for measuring and estimating the quantities that describe the processes under consideration.

Course contents

1. Introduction;
2. Basics of thermodynamics: water in the atmosphere;
3. Homogeneous nucleation;
4. Heterogeneous nucleation;
5. Aerosol's mechanics;
6. Warm clouds formation and growth;
7. Cold clouds' structure;
8. Precipitation;
9. Hydrodynamics of cloud and precipitation particles;
10. Precipitation structure;
11. Measurements;
12. Charge separation and lightening.

Readings/Bibliography

Notes of the teacher;

Pruppacher and Klett, 1997, Microphysics of clouds and precipitation, Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 954.

Wang, P.K., 2014, Physics and Dynamics of Clouds and Precipitation, Cambridge University Press, pp 451.

Houze, R.H., 2014, Cloud Dynamics, Elsevier, pp. 496.

Teaching methods

Blackboard lectures with use of video projector, when needed.

Assessment methods

The assessment will be a 45 min oral interview on the course topics. the student, if he/she wishes, can present the contents of a scientific article proposed by the teacher

Teaching tools

Blackboard and videoprojector

Office hours

See the website of Federico Porcù