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A short course in cloud physics
Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics, Vol. 38, p. 1369. Pergamon Press, 1976. Prin~..d in Northern Ireland
Book Reviews Phys/que de I'ionospl~re by A. Giraud and M. Petit, Presses Universitaires de France. This little 'paperback' of 200 pages provides a most readable summary of ionospheric physics. Even with my (old-fashioned) schoolboy French, I was able to read straight through it without any trouble: perhaps the authors" ability to write simply about a complicated subject is related to their writing in simple French. The first half of the book is concerned with the Earth's environment and with experimental studies of the ionosphere. The account is devoid of mathematics and provides an admirable summary, of the subject. It is natural that the topic of incoherent scatter should be dealt with rather fully because, of course, the French workers have been particularly active in this field of investigation. The second half of the book deals with problems of photochemistry and of the transport of ionisation. This part is more detailed and complicated than the first: it is freely illustrated with mathematical expressions, although there are very few mathematical proofs. Although the book provides a readable and valuable summary, for those who already know a good deal about the subject, I am inclined to think that it contains so much, and is written in such a brief and condensed style, that it would be difficult for others to learn much from it. There are a limited number of references which should help the less knowledgeable to follow up detailed points, but it is the investigator who has already made some start in understanding the subject who will gain most from the book. The surprising picture of high ener~, tracks in a bubble chamber on the cover of the book should not be allowed to confuse or discourage an intending reader. J. A. Ratcliffe The Ammanlg Universe by Herbert Friedman, The National Geographic Society, U.S.A. $4.25. Although the subject of this delightful book may not be the direct concern of readers of this Journal, its author, Herbert Friedman, who has made major contributions to our understanding of the ionosphere, will be well-known to them. But that is not the only reason why workers on any subject must surely find this book of great interest. It deals in outline with all aspects of modern astronomy and cosmology, and is beautifully produced by the National
Geographical Society with numerous illustrations, many of them in colour. There is no need to say that the subject matter is very clearly and simply presented by someone who is a real expert and master of his subject. J. A. Ratcliffe A Short Com~e in Cloud Physics by R. R. Rogers In about 200 pages this book attempts to give a concise introduction to the basic principles of cloud physics and then to relate these principles to modern observational and theoretical studies of precipitation phenomena. The book assumes some familiarity with calculus and is suitable for GCE A Level or First Year University ph~ics students. Following chapters on basic thermodynamics and atmospheric stability is an introduction to parcel theory and mixing. Attention is then given to the formation and growth of cloud droplets; this is followed by a description of the theory, of the initiation of rain in non4reezing clouds. Ice crystal formation and growth are then discussed and followed by descriptive chapters on weather radar and on the distributions of sizes and precipitation rates of raindrops and snowflakes. The next two chapters are brief, up to date reviews of theoretical and practical studies of severe storms, hail and precipitation processes generally. The final two chapters are very brief sketches of weather modification and numerical cloud modelling. At the end of each chapter are a few problems (for some of which the use of a computer is 'appropriate but not necessarily essential'!) but solutions to them are not given--a regretable trend in modern text books. The book neglects a number of subjects which come under the heading of cloud physics--notably cloud electrification and fog formation; atmospheric pollution despite its having important interactions with cloud and rain is also omitted. However, in a volume of this size some omissions are necessary and the subject matter that is presented does cover a good proportion of the study of cloud physics. In his introduction the author acknowledges his debt to the standard works of Fletcher, Byers and Mason and in general his book is a useful distillation of all these. The book provides a reasonably comprehensive and concise introduction to cloud physics and prepares the reader for more detailed works on the subject. C. Hume
Book Reviews Phys/que de I'ionospl~re by A. Giraud and M. Petit, Presses Universitaires de France. This little 'paperback' of 200 pages provides a most readable summary of ionospheric physics. Even with my (old-fashioned) schoolboy French, I was able to read straight through it without any trouble: perhaps the authors" ability to write simply about a complicated subject is related to their writing in simple French. The first half of the book is concerned with the Earth's environment and with experimental studies of the ionosphere. The account is devoid of mathematics and provides an admirable summary, of the subject. It is natural that the topic of incoherent scatter should be dealt with rather fully because, of course, the French workers have been particularly active in this field of investigation. The second half of the book deals with problems of photochemistry and of the transport of ionisation. This part is more detailed and complicated than the first: it is freely illustrated with mathematical expressions, although there are very few mathematical proofs. Although the book provides a readable and valuable summary, for those who already know a good deal about the subject, I am inclined to think that it contains so much, and is written in such a brief and condensed style, that it would be difficult for others to learn much from it. There are a limited number of references which should help the less knowledgeable to follow up detailed points, but it is the investigator who has already made some start in understanding the subject who will gain most from the book. The surprising picture of high ener~, tracks in a bubble chamber on the cover of the book should not be allowed to confuse or discourage an intending reader. J. A. Ratcliffe The Ammanlg Universe by Herbert Friedman, The National Geographic Society, U.S.A. $4.25. Although the subject of this delightful book may not be the direct concern of readers of this Journal, its author, Herbert Friedman, who has made major contributions to our understanding of the ionosphere, will be well-known to them. But that is not the only reason why workers on any subject must surely find this book of great interest. It deals in outline with all aspects of modern astronomy and cosmology, and is beautifully produced by the National
Geographical Society with numerous illustrations, many of them in colour. There is no need to say that the subject matter is very clearly and simply presented by someone who is a real expert and master of his subject. J. A. Ratcliffe A Short Com~e in Cloud Physics by R. R. Rogers In about 200 pages this book attempts to give a concise introduction to the basic principles of cloud physics and then to relate these principles to modern observational and theoretical studies of precipitation phenomena. The book assumes some familiarity with calculus and is suitable for GCE A Level or First Year University ph~ics students. Following chapters on basic thermodynamics and atmospheric stability is an introduction to parcel theory and mixing. Attention is then given to the formation and growth of cloud droplets; this is followed by a description of the theory, of the initiation of rain in non4reezing clouds. Ice crystal formation and growth are then discussed and followed by descriptive chapters on weather radar and on the distributions of sizes and precipitation rates of raindrops and snowflakes. The next two chapters are brief, up to date reviews of theoretical and practical studies of severe storms, hail and precipitation processes generally. The final two chapters are very brief sketches of weather modification and numerical cloud modelling. At the end of each chapter are a few problems (for some of which the use of a computer is 'appropriate but not necessarily essential'!) but solutions to them are not given--a regretable trend in modern text books. The book neglects a number of subjects which come under the heading of cloud physics--notably cloud electrification and fog formation; atmospheric pollution despite its having important interactions with cloud and rain is also omitted. However, in a volume of this size some omissions are necessary and the subject matter that is presented does cover a good proportion of the study of cloud physics. In his introduction the author acknowledges his debt to the standard works of Fletcher, Byers and Mason and in general his book is a useful distillation of all these. The book provides a reasonably comprehensive and concise introduction to cloud physics and prepares the reader for more detailed works on the subject. C. Hume