About the Course
This course is an intermediate introduction to the composition and structure of the atmosphere and the chemical reactions and phase transitions of gases and particles that have the most impact on the environment, air quality, and radiative balance. Special emphasis is placed on Southern California, and indeed much of the research is rooted in this region.
- Identify and describe the sources, properties, and transformations of chemicals in the atmosphere.
- Explain the physical mechanisms driving atmospheric motion; participants will be able to predict changes in the atmosphere under new conditions.
- Classify major pollutant names, sources, and impacts on people and the environment; Participants will be able to discuss how perturbations to NOx or volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions could affect ozone production.
- Identify how their local haze was formed and predict its dissipation; Participants will be able to describe how a population of suspended particles could behave in the indoor environment.