What Kinds of Questions Do Scientists Who Study the Atmosphere* Ask? What is the structure of the atmosphere? That is, how does it vary spatially? horizontally? vertically? Are there coherent, repeatable patterns? What is the behavior of the atmosphere? That is, how does it vary temporally (i.e., with time)? Why does the atmosphere have the patterns of structure and behavior that we observe? How can we predict future states of the atmosphere (that is, make forecasts) and solve other practical problems? (*Scientists who study that atmosphere are atmospheric scientists; they include research meteorologists, who study the weather. Aside from the weather, atmospheric scientists study many other aspects of the atmosphere, such as global and regional climate change, the ozone layer in the stratosphere, air pollution, the microphysics of clouds, etc.)

What Do Atmospheric Scientists Do? (cont’d) For questions of type (1) and (2), need observations Human senses often not sensitive enough Need instruments Technology often requires that engineers contribute Questions of type (3) promote understanding of the atmosphere Develop models of the atmosphere Physical models (physical analogs, such as the dishpan model) offer significant insight into some phenomena, but analogs are limited Conceptual models descriptive and qualitative; also limited Quantitative models Statistical (based solely on observations) useful but limited (predictions based on patterns of past behavior only) Physical (based on both observations and physical principles expressed mathematically) have lead to the greatest advances in understanding and ability to make forecasts

What Do Atmospheric Scientists Do? (cont’d) Questions of type (4) are about application of understanding to solve practical problems Requires answers to questions (1)-(3) Scientists must communicate ideas and information: data and other information (observations and calculations, including model output) graphs maps symbols images concepts, implications diagrams, images language (writing, speaking) mathematics with: other atmospheric scientists other scientists more generally planners, decision-makers, funding agencies other users of information about the atmosphere (businesses, the public)