Year:11/12
Department:Physics
Level:Part II (yr 3)
Learning Hours:75
Credit Points:7.5
Weight:0.25
Course Convenor:Professor T Sloan
Status:Live
Syllabus Rules
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Prior to PHYS386, the student must have successfully completed:
Assessment Rules
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Curriculum Design: Outline Syllabus
back to topAn overview of the effects of greenhouse gases on the mean temperature of the Earth and why greater concentrations of greenhouse gases could produce more warming.
The basic physical principles of energy transfer: Thermal radiation - derivation of the Planck radiation formula, Stefan's Law, Wien's Law. Imperfect radiators and Kirchoff's law for radiators. The rotational and vibrational spectra of molecules and the effects of these in the absorption of radiation in the atmosphere. Convection and conduction of heat in the atmosphere.
These ideas will then be applied to model the Earth's atmosphere and particularly its temperature profile. The structure of the atmosphere will be discussed. The effect of cosmic rays and whether they could explain global warming will also be discussed.
The counter arguments that global warming is not man made will be discussed and the methodology of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will reviewed. The emphasis will be on the science that underpins or undermines the various arguments.
Curriculum Design: Pre-requisites/Co-requisites/Exclusions
back to topPHYS 233
Educational Aims: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to topTo provide a broad overview of the physical science behind the global warming debate and the issues involved.
Educational Aims: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to topTo help students to analyse, review and criticise science issues with a high public profile, to knowledgeably and usefully contribute to science debates in public, and to implement that knowledge in a practical way.
Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to topOn successful completion of this module students will be able to...
- clearly explain the physics of global warming,
- understand the physical processes of the atmosphere relevant to global warming,
- critically review alternative explanations.
Learning Outcomes: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to topOn successful completion of this module students will be able to...
- make an informed contribution to the debate,
- review and criticise science issues with a high public profile.
Assessment: Details of Assessment
back to topExamination: 1 hour
Coursework: 4 pieces of coursework throughout the duration of the module
Examination and cw questions span the syllabus testing understanding and critical analysis of the material. Questions will typically comprise numerical, algebraic and essay components to test different skills.
Curriculum Design: Select Bibliography
back to top``Elementary Climate Physics'' by F.W. Taylor (Oxford University Press).
Curriculum Design: Single, Combined or Consortial Schemes to which the Module Contributes
back to topOptional module for all physics schemes of study EXCEPT MSci/BSc Theoretical Physics with Mathematics
