Learning objectives
<p>The porpouse of the course is the analysis of the main physical phenomena of the lower atmosphere. Therefore, the atronomical relation between the Eart and the Sun are considered in order to explain the different amount of insolation at the different latitudes.Then the structure and circulation of the atmosphere and oceans are analyzed in order to understand the two main climate classification systems, W. Koppen and A.N. Stralher, that are viewed in detail.</p>
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Prerequisites
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Course unit content
<p> The Earth form. Earth rotation and revolution. Solstices and equinoxes. The seasons. Local and standard time.Times of sunrise and sunset. Sidereal, apparent solar and mean solar day. Twilight.</p>
<p>The Earth atmosphere. Structure, composition and temperature. Density and pressure. The barometer. The termometer. Ozonosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere.</p>
<p>Solar and terrestrial radiation. Characteristics and budget. The pyranometer. Seasonal and daily cycles of air temperature.</p>
<p>The atmospheric circulation. Convective circulation. Coriolis force and the geostrophic and cyclostrophic wind. The model of winds' system on the Earth surface. The jet streams and polar front. Wind vanes and anemometers. </p>
<p>Tha atmosheric moisture. Absolute, specific and relative humidity. Hygrometer and psychrometer. Dew point. The adiabatic process in rising and descendig air. Clouds classification. Forms and measurement of precipitations. The rain gauge.</p>
<p>Air mases and fronts. Cyclones of the middle and high latitudes.Hurricanes and tornadoes.</p>
<p>Koppen and Strahler climate classifications.</p>
Full programme
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Bibliography
A.N. STRAHLER:"Geografia Fisica", PICCIN, Padova (1984). <br />
S.PEREGO:"Cartografia . Lettura delle Carte Topografiche (2003). <br />
A.N.STRAHLER:"The Earth Sciences",Harper&Row, (1971). <br />
L.ARUTA, P.MARESCALCHI:"Cartografia:lettura delle carte",Flaccovio, Palermo (1983). <br />
Teaching methods
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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