ATMOSPHERIC THERMODYNAMICS.

Abstract

The path of a plume from a stack is investigated and thermodynamic limits to the height to which it may rise are determined. A student mastering this instructive module will be able to: 1) distinguish between vertical stability and instability of large air masses; 2) predict the path of a plume of pollutant given the temperature, molecular weight, and atmospheric lapse rate; 3) calculate or graphically determine the thermodynamically limiting height to which a plume can rise; and 4) determine vertical wind directions caused by horizontal variations in ground temperature.