A Volume in the INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICS series
Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics is a comprehensive introduction to the subject that develops the interrelationships
of physical and dynamical meteorology. The text unifies four major subject areas: atmospheric thermodynamics, hydrostatic
equilibrium and stability, atmospheric radiation and clouds, and atmospheric dynamics. These fundamental areas
serve as cornerstones of modern atmospheric research on environmental issues like global change and ozone depletion.
Physical concepts underlying these subjects are developed from first principles, providing a self-contained reference
for students and scholars from diverse backgrounds.
The presentation is Lagrangian (single-body problem) in perspective, with a balance of theory and applications.
Each chapter includes detailed and extensive problems; selected answers are provided, as are appendices of various
physical constants and mathematical formulae. The text is extensively illustrated with global satellite imagery
and analyses and photographs of laboratory simulations. Written for seniors and graduate students in atmospheric
science, the text requires a solid foundation in calculus.