PHYS 32132

>< Type/ Status : Elective/Auxiliary
>< Title : Environmental Physics
>< Objectives : Students will be acquainted with the physical aspect of the environment and they will also be aware of the precautions against environmental pollution and hazards.
>< Course Content :

Man and the environment, Basics physical processes of the sun, Emission spectrum of the sun, Solar radiation, Structure of the earth, Plate tectonics, Earthquakes, Structure of the atmosphere, Earth energy balance, Greenhouse effect, Global warming, Ozone layer, Atmospheric circulation of winds, Elements of weather and climates, Cloud formation, Thunderstorms and lightning, Energy, World energy demand, Energy resources, Environmental impact of energy production, Renewable energy, Basic Acoustics, Physics of hearing, Human perception, Noise pollution, Reducing the transmission of sound, Radiation, Biological effects of radiation, Radiation safety, Sri Lankan Standards of pollution control.

>< Methodology : A combination of lectures, tutorial discussions and field visits.
>< Scheme of Evaluation : End of semester written examination.
>< Recommended Reading :
1. Boeker, E. and van Grondelle, R., (1996). Environmental Physics, John Wiley & Sons.
2. Mason, N and Hughes, P., Introduction to Environmental Physics.
3. Ahrens, C. D., (1998). Essentials of Meteorology, Wadsworth Publishing.
4. Turburk, E. J. and Lutgens, F. K., Earth.

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