Clouds in a Glass of Beer: Simple Experiments in Atmospheric Physics [Paperback]

Craig F. Bohren (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0486417387 | ISBN-13: 978-0486417387 | Publication Date: July 10, 2001

Memorable and thoroughly understandable science lessons, liberally sprinkled with humor, will fascinate beginning physics students as well as other readers in such chapters as "On a Clear Day You Can't See Forever," "Physics on a Manure Heap," "A Murder in Ceylon," and "Multiple Scattering at the Breakfast Table."

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This fascinating exploration of atmospheric physics presents over 25 experiments that let readers observe and reproduce natural phenomena with simple materials at home or in the classroom. In a captivating, conversational tone, it explores topics in meteorological optics, including rainbows, coronas, color of sky and sea, visibility, cloud physics, and basic physics relevant to the atmosphere. A scientific or mathematical background is not required. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (July 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486417387
• ISBN-13: 978-0486417387
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Geophysics
  • #92 in Books > Science & Math > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Experiments & Projects

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for (almost) everyone, October 2, 2004

By 

Peter J. Adams (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clouds in a Glass of Beer: Simple Experiments in Atmospheric Physics (Paperback)

Craig Bohren is a first-rate atmospheric scientist with an unusual knack for being able to explain difficult concepts to general audiences. Sure, some of the explanations can get complicated so most readers will have to pause and think or reread sections occasionally to understand. However, Dr. Bohren uses figures and analogies rather than equations to explain physical processes. The book does not assume any particular scientific background and should be accessible to almost anyone willing to put in a little bit of mental effort. The book is less than 200 pages so the effort feels like a pleasant jog rather than a marathon. What's more, the author's fascination with the world around him and mostly interesting anecdotes inspire and entice the reader all the way. The author manages to do all this without dumbing down the science in any way. The subtitle suggests that the main purpose of the book is to provide educators with handy demonstrations of atmospheric physics. While the book certainly does this, it is not a recipe book in any sense. What one sees during the demonstrations is described well enough that the reader does not actually need to do them to follow what is going on. Moreover, the underlying science is well described and related to things most people see regularly in the sky around them. I have no plans to assemble these demonstrations but enjoyed the book immensely nonetheless. I am sure many others with an interest in the atmosphere will as well.

[The following autobiographical information is to help you evaluate this review. I hold a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, having done my thesis work on some issues regarding airborne particulate matter. I am an assistant professor in environmental engineering at a major US research university, where I teach and regularly publish peer-reviewed research papers on air pollution. While I do not claim to be as expert as Dr. Bohren on the topic of atmospheric optics (few people can), I feel qualified to evaluate this book both technically and otherwise.]

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite fun, and clever, February 12, 2003

By 

Andrew D. (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Clouds in a Glass of Beer: Simple Experiments in Atmospheric Physics (Paperback)

This is not a chummy kitchen science experiment book. The science is serious and some principles obtuse. I studied this sort of thing in college and found some of it tough going, though I do think I came away with a lucid understanding for the effort.

The author rambles a bit, mixing exposition and reminisces. This is not a terrible thing, but may not be what you expect. Some of the experiments are elegant and clever, and impressed my 6 year-old considerably. The author's bent is towards optical phenomena, such as why the sky is blue, more than the meteorological, though there's plenty in there.

A fun and interesting book in a conversational and sometimes amusing format. And yes, I finally can explain why the sky is blue.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very clever, December 15, 2001

By 

cory m (Pomfret Center, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clouds in a Glass of Beer: Simple Experiments in Atmospheric Physics (Paperback)

This is a very well written, creative and informative work. It's a league well above the cliche "amazing science experiments" books and offers detailed insight into atmospheric phenomena. The style is prose, not the boring step by step method that turns off many readers. You can use it to perform experiments, but it's a good readin itself. I highly recommend it to teachers - you'll learn some interesting stuff while getting your demo ideas.