A First Course in Atmospheric Radiation (2nd Ed.) (Paperback)

by Grant W. Petty (Author) "Electromagnetic radiation is an omnipresent part of our lives..." (more)
Key Phrases: Eastern Pacific, Monte Carlo, Longwave Radiative Heating (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
The applications sections ... showing relevance to atmospheric physics, meteorology, and remote sensing make this an essential work for meteorology courses. -- Choice Magazine, October 1, 2006

Product Description
This textbook covers the essentials of atmospheric radiation at a level appropriate to advanced undergraduates and first-year graduate students. It was written specifically to be readable and technically accessible to students having no prior background in the subject area and who may or may not intend to continue with more advanced study of radiation or remote sensing. The author emphasizes physical insight, first and foremost, but backed by the essential mathematical relationships. The second edition adds new exercises, improved figures, a table of symbols, and discussions of new topics, such as the Poynting vector and the energy balance within the atmosphere. The book web page includes additional resources for courses taught using this book, including downloadable/printable PDF figures as well as solutions to most problems (for instructors of recognized courses only).

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Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: Sundog Publishing (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972903313
• ISBN-13: 978-0972903318
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #110,267 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!, February 10, 2005

By	Mark S. Kulie - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A First Course in Atmospheric Radiation (Paperback)

An excellent introductory book on atmospheric radiation that fills a previously huge void in the books available on this topic. Written in a style that differs from any textbook I've ever experienced. The book covers a wide spectrum of issues related to atmospheric radiation, but doesn't overwhelm the reader in the process. Practical examples and applications of the theories and ideas presented abound. A very refreshing...dare I say enjoyable...scientific book.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book for an introductory level, January 13, 2005

By	jeepsterboy - See all my reviews

This review is from: A First Course in Atmospheric Radiation (Paperback)

This book was used in my graduate atmospheric radiation class. It was far supperior to the book used in my undergrad class (wallace and hobbs introduction to atmospheric sciences) not that W&H was a bad book but this book is much more focused since it is not as broad as W&H book.

Good aspects of this book is that it starts with a good fundemental background before it delves into the real meat of the course (being radiative calculations for both long wave and short wave theory). The book is very easy to read for someone with introductory knowledge of radiative theory and is not much tougher without this introductory knowledge. The figures are clear and concise and the topics are well organized.

Downfall of this book is the excersices presented to reinforce topics. Most of the excercises are just plug and chug or are descriptive problems that really only require one to read the previous section. more problems and problems that require more thinking would be benificial but the author already aknowledges that this was a week point of the book.

Over all the book was written very well and was easy to understand. It is a great tool for anyone interested in atmospheric radiation, either on an introductory level or as a complement to ones library. Given the other books available for a course on radiation this one ranks near or on the top.

And as a University of Oklahoma Meteorology alumni, I must say, Boomer Sooner.

5.0 out of 5 stars Explanation and Instruction of Atmospheric Radiation at its Best!, July 7, 2009

By	Boniface J. Mills - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A First Course in Atmospheric Radiation (Paperback)

Great text book for a intro to radiation or physical meteorology course. The author provides wonderful explanations and applications of subjects dealing with atmospheric radiation.