MIT OpenCourseWare: New Courses in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

12.141 Electron Microprobe Analysis by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (MIT)

Chatterjee, Nilanjan — 2010-05-07T03:13:57-04:00

Introduction to the theory of x-ray microanalysis through the electron microprobe including ZAF matrix corrections. Techniques to be discussed are wavelength and energy dispersive spectrometry, scanning backscattered electron, secondary electron, cathodoluminescence, and X-ray imaging. Lab sessions involve hands-on use of the electron microprobe.

12.803 Quasi-Balanced Circulations in Oceans and Atmospheres (MIT)

Emanuel, Kerry — 2010-02-12T04:29:15-05:00

Dynamics of large-scale circulations in oceans and atmospheres, taken concurrently with the laboratory subject 12.804. Basic concepts include mass and momentum conservation, hydrostatic and geostrophic balance, and pressure and other vertical coordinates. Barotropic vorticity equation: potential vorticity (PV) and invertibility; Greens functions/point vortices; balance in forced flow, waves, and vortices. Shallow water equations, geostrophic adjustment. Stratified atmospheres and oceans: thermodynamics. The quasi-geostrophic (QG) equations, pseudo potential vorticity. Barotropic and baroclinic instabilities and the Rayleigh, Fjortoft and Chanrey-Stern theorems. Eady and Charney models. The superposition theorem and the continuous spectrum. Effects of boundary friction, upward wave radiation, and phase change of water. Frontogenesis and semigeostrophy.

12.002 Physics and Chemistry of the Terrestrial Planets (MIT)

Royden, Leigh — 2009-12-14T01:58:59-05:00

Study of the Earth's structure, composition, and physical processes. Introduction to plate tectonics, earthquakes, seismic waves, and rheology. The Earth's gravity and magnetic fields, heat flux, and thermal structure. Plates as thermal and chemical boundary layers. Mantle convection, properties of the Earth's deep interior, geomagnetism, and core dynamics. Employs classical mechanics, electromagnetism, some elementary differential equations. Suitable for majors and non-majors seeking general background in geophysics and Earth structure.

12.007 Geobiology (MIT)

Bosak, Tanja — 2009-11-18T01:15:33-05:00

The interactive Earth system: biology in geologic, environmental and climate change throughout Earth history. Since life began it has continually shaped and re-shaped the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and the solid earth. Subject introduces the concept of "life as a geological agent" and examines the interaction between biology and the earth system during the roughly 4 billion years since life first appeared. Topics include the origin of the solar system and the early Earth atmosphere; the origin and evolution of life and its influence on climate up through and including the modern age and the problem of global warming; the global carbon cycle; and Astrobiology.