NES2408 : Chemistry of the Atmosphere
NES2408 : Chemistry of the Atmosphere
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Fabio Cucinotta
- Lecturer: Dr Toni Carruthers
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
Equivalent background in general and physical chemistry to NES1406 and NES1404 will be accepted at the discretion of the DPD.
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
To provide an understanding of atmospheric chemistry, including the basic physical aspects and the chemical dynamics; to explain the dynamics of aerosol formation, transport and optical properties; to provide an understanding of the reaction mechanisms and cycles in the atmosphere; to review selected experimental techniques.
Outline Of Syllabus
Radiative forcing in the atmosphere and impact on climate change, IPCC reports, role of aerosols in the atmosphere, Raoult’s law and the Kelvin effect, aerosol hygroscopicity, super-saturation and cloud formation, optical properties of aerosol, aerosol thermodynamics, kinetics of transformation, aerosol mechanics and transport.
Chemical composition of the atmosphere, photochemical kinetics, stratosphere and troposphere chemistry, radical reactions, ozone chemistry, NOx and VOCs, the chemistry of pollution, airglow and planetary atmospheres.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
• understand the concept of radiative forcing and its impact on the climate;
• understand the importance of aerosol chemical and physical properties;
• know about aerosol interactions and hygroscopicity relevant to the atmosphere;
• understand the mechanism of radical reactions in the atmosphere;
• know about the chemistry of ozone and its relevance to Earth’s climate;
• know the chemistry of NOx and VOCs, and their impact on the anthroposphere;
• appreciate the methodology used to monitor and examine aerosols and atmospheric gases
Intended Skill Outcomes
At the end of the module, the students will be able to:
• draw on physico-chemical principles to make appropriate calculations and to elaborate on conceptual questions;
• apply basic reaction models and solve more advanced (than Stage 1) problems in physical chemistry, including
kinetics and thermodynamics;
• simulate optical effects of light interaction with aerosol, interpret and calculate aerosol properties that
impact the atmosphere.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Examination revision or alternate online assessment prep in case of no PiP examinations. |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Course material related to atmospheric chemistry |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Computer tools relating to the course, calculations and problem solving |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Office hours: Lecturers available during teaching weeks to discuss student questions individually |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 42:00 | 42:00 | Independent study |
Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students acquire knowledge and understanding through attendance to the lectures. They learn to plan and organise their work by way of lecture materials, which also provide the necessary opportunity to practice note-taking.
In workshops, competencies in calculations, problem solving, analysis and elaboration of concepts and results will be taught and learnt.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 100 | Examination |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | Examples of problems to solve before the final assessment. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The summative written examination will assess the level of knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the module. The examination will present students with questions from a selection of topics learnt throughout the semester 2 module content.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2408's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- NES2408's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.