Physics And Chemistry Of Clouds

Clouds affect our daily weather and play key roles in the global climate. Through their ability to precipitate, clouds provide virtually all of the fresh water on Earth and are a crucial link in the hydrologic cycle. With ever-increasing importance being placed on quantifiable predictions - from forecasting the local weather to anticipating climate change - we must understand how clouds operate in the real atmosphere, where interactions with natural and anthropogenic pollutants are common. This textbook provides students - whether seasoned or new to the atmospheric sciences - with a quantitative yet approachable path to learning the inner workings of clouds. Developed over many years of the authors' teaching at Pennsylvania State University, Physics and Chemistry of Clouds is an invaluable textbook for advanced students in atmospheric science, meteorology, environmental sciences/engineering and atmospheric chemistry. It is also a very useful reference text for researchers and professionals.

Cloud physics has achieved such a voluminous literature over the past few decades that a significant quantitative study of the entire field would prove unwieldy. This book concentrates on one major aspect: cloud microphysics, which involves the processes that lead to the formation of individual cloud and precipitation particles. Common practice has shown that one may distinguish among the following addi tional major aspects: cloud dynamics, which is concerned with the physics respon sible for the macroscopic features of clouds; cloud electricity, which deals with the electrical structure of clouds and the electrification processes of cloud and precipi tation particles; and cloud optics and radar meteorology, which describe the effects of electromagnetic waves interacting with clouds and precipitation. Another field intimately related to cloud physics is atmospheric chemistry, which involves the chemical composition ofthe atmosphere and the life cycle and characteristics of its gaseous and particulate constituents. In view of the natural interdependence of the various aspects of cloud physics, the subject of microphysics cannot be discussed very meaningfully out of context. Therefore, we have found it necessary to touch briefly upon a few simple and basic concepts of cloud dynamics and thermodynamics, and to provide an account of the major characteristics of atmospheric aerosol particles. We have also included a separate chapter on some of the effects of electric fields and charges on the precipitation-forming processes.

New textbook on microphysics, thermodynamics and cloud-scale dynamics of clouds and precipitation, for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, researchers and professionals.

An atmospheric phenomenon is considered as 'explained' when we have succeeded in deducing it on the basis of accepted principles of physics. (H. Ertel, Methods and problems of dynamical meteorolo gy,p. l) Until recently, noctilucent clouds were regarded merely as a curious atmos pheric phenomenon, the occurrence of which aroused only limited scientific attention. However, in the last two decades the interest they have been given has markedly increased. The clouds, usually pale blue in colour, may be seen on a clear night at high latitudes. Typical examples are illustrated in the book. Clouds looking like these in daytime would be classified as cirrostratus. What sets noctilucent clouds apart is their occurrence in the middle of the night, their very obvious pale blue colour, and their disappearance into the dawn close to the onset of civil twilight when the Sun is 6° below the horizon. as being set apart from ordinary Noctilucent clouds were first recognized clouds in 1884/1885 and in a series of sightings that followed their return in the summer of 1885. That year marked the beginning of observations and the interpretation of twilight phenomena. The impetus came from the extraordi nary Krakatoa eruption, which was not only one of the most spectacular volcanic eruptions in recorded history, but which also turned out to be a startling event in atmospheric science with repercussions even in our time.

Provides a comprehensive analysis of modern theories of cloud microphysical processes and their representation in numerical cloud models.

Liberally sprinkled with humor, these lessons will fascinate beginning physics students and other readers with chapters titled "On a Clear Day You Can't See Forever" and "Physics on a Manure Heap."

Cloud physics is concerned with those processes which are responsible for the formation of clouds and the release of precipitation. This classic book gives a comprehensive and detailed account of experimental and theoretical research on the microphysical processes of nucleation, condensation, droplet growth, initiation and growth of snow crystals, and the mechanisms of precipitation release. As a textbook it is designed to give the student the necessary background to carry out independent work. As a reference book for the research worker, it provides an integrated account of the major developments in this field. Although written primarily for the atmospheric physicist, it contains much of interest for those in the fields of nucleation phenomena, crystal growth, and aerosol physics.