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701-0471-01L 3 Credits BSC , MSC D-USYS , D-ERDW
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Atmospheric Chemistry

Atmosphärenchemie

Lecturers: Prof. em. Dr. Thomas Peter, Prof. Dr. Markus Ammann
Examiners: Dr. Ulrich Krieger, Prof. Dr. Markus Ammann
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:48

Abstract

The lecture provides an introduction to atmospheric chemistry at bachelor level. It introduces the fundamentals of gas phase reactions, the concept of solubility and reactions in aerosols and in clouds. It explains the chemical and physical processes responsible for global (e.g. stratospheric ozone depletion) as well as regional (e.g. urban air pollution) environmental problems.

Objective

The students will understand the basics of gas phase reactions and of reactions and processes in aerosols and clouds. The students will understand the most important chemical processes in the troposphere and the stratosphere. The students will also acquire a good understanding of atmospheric environmental problems including air pollution, tropospheric ozone formation, stratospheric ozone destruction and the relationship between air pollution and climate change.

Content

- Origin and properties of the atmosphere: composition (gases and aerosols), structure, large scale dynamics, UV radiation - Thermodynamics and kinetics of gas phase reactions: enthalpy and free energy of reactions, rate laws, mechanisms of bimolecular and termolecular reactions. - Tropospheric photochemistry: Photolysis reactions, photochemical O3 formation, role and budget of HOx, dry and wet deposition - Aerosols and clouds: chemical properties, primary and secondary aerosol sources, solubility of gases, hygroscopicity, kinetics of gas to particle transfer, N2O5 chemistry, SO2 oxidation, secondary organic aerosol formation - Air quality: role of planetary boundary layer, summer- versus winter-smog, environmental problems, legislation, long-term trends - Stratospheric chemistry: Chapman cycle, Brewer-Dobson circulation, catalytic ozone destruction cycles, polar ozone hole, Montreal protocol - Global aspects: global budgets of ozone, methane, CO and NOx, air quality - climate interactions

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture materials (slides) are provided continuously during the semester, at least 2 days before each lecture.

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 20 minutes
In der zweiten Semesterhälfte wird während der Vorlesung eine freiwillige schriftliche Zwischenprüfung à 45 min abgehalten, die auf den vorangegangenen Übungsserien basiert.Diese Note trägt mit einem Gewicht von 30% zur Schlussnote bei, wenn diese besser ausfällt als die mündliche Sessionsprüfung.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Atmosphärenchemie
  • Wed 08:15-10:00 (CHN F 46)
2 h weekly

Offered In

  • Earth and Climate Sciences Bachelor
  • Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
    • Specialization in an Environmental System
      • Atmosphere and Climate (The following courses are highly recommended as preparation for the Specialization in Atmosphere and Climate: 701-0106-00L Mathematik V: Angewandte Vertiefung von Mathematik I - III (Spring semester) 402-0048-00L Fortgeschrittene Physik für Umwelt- und ErdwissenschaftlerInnen (Spring semester) These courses should be successfully completed during the second year.)
  • Environmental Sciences Master
  • Atmospheric and Climate Science Master
    • Electives (The students are free to choose individually from the entire course offer of ETH Zürich and the universities of Zürich and Bern.)
      • Prerequisites (The definition of prerequisites is part of the admission procedure for the master studies. You are informed by the admission office as to what courses of the section «prerequisites» you have to catch up with. You are accredited for these courses in the electives block of the master studies.)