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Last update: T_KG (16.05.2001)
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Last update: T_KG (11.04.2008)
The lecture deals with basic results of the geophysical research of the Earth, and concentrates attention to the phenomena that represent a common interest for geophysics and meteorology. |
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Last update: RNDr. Pavel Zakouřil, Ph.D. (05.08.2002)
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Last update: T_KG (11.04.2008)
Lecture |
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Last update: T_KG (19.01.2003)
Geophysics among the other geosciences. Division of geophysics. 2. Historical review of the study of the figure of the Earth Ancient mythical notions. Pythagoras' spherical Earth. The size of the spherical Earth; Eratosthenes. The ellipsoidal Earth; consequences of Newton's gravitational theory; the French arc measurements; the expeditions to Peru and Lapland. Importance of the arc measurements for geodesy, physics and metrology. The irregular geoid as the figure of the Earth. Satellite geodesy; Buchar's determination of the Earth's flattening. Recent reference ellipsoids. * 3. Motions of the Earth
Motions of the Galaxy. Motions of the Solar System in the Galaxy. Revolution of the Earth round the Sun. Rotation of the Earth and its changes. The influence of rotation on mechanical processes on the Earth; the equation of motion of a particle in a non-inertial reference frame; Euler's equations of motion of a rigid body and Liouville's equations. Precession and nutation. The free nutation; Euler's and Chandler's periods. Earth tides; derivation of the tidal potential; its properties. 4. Legendre polynomials Generating function. Special properties. Recurrence relations. Expansion of the reciprocal distance of two arbitrary points into a series of Legendre polynomials. Associated Legendre functions. The addition theorem for Legendre polynomials. Expansion of the reciprocal distance into a series of spherical harmonics. Multipole expansion theorem. 5. Gravimetry Basic notions; gravitational and gravity accelerations. Gravity potential of a general rotating body; its expansion into a series of spherical harmonics. Equipotential surfaces; geoid and spheroid. Normal gravity; Clairaut's theorem. Gravity measurements; absolute and relative measurements; pendulum and free-fall methods. Reductions of gravity measurements. Principles of satellite investigations of the Earth's gravitational field. Basic numerical values. 6. Geomagnetism Historical review of the study of the Earth's magnetic field. Expansion of the magnetostatic potential into a series of spherical harmonics; Gauss' theory of the Earth's magnetic field. Time variations of the geomagnetic field. Theories about the origin of the Earth's magnetic field. Planetary magnetism. 7. Seismology Types of earthquakes. Geographical distribution of earthquakes. Macroseismic intensity and earthquake magnitude. Energy of earthquakes. Theories about the origin of earthquakes. The earthquake prediction problem. Propagation of seismic waves. 8. Constitution of the Earth The seismic model of the Earth: the Earth's crust, mantle, and core. Tectonics of the lithospheric plates. Heat sources within the Earth. Radioactivity and age of the Earth. 9. Physics of the ionosphere and magnetosphere Structure of the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Solar wind. Aurora. |