Clouds in a Glass of Beer: Simple Experiments in Atmospheric Physics

by Craig F. Bohren

Ever wonder why steam rises from a bowl of hot soup or why a greenhouse retains heat? And have you ever puzzled over the real meaning of "once in a blue moon" or why sand is darker when it's wet than when it's dry? And just why, exactly, do bubbles appear in a glass of beer when you add salt to it?
These and many other baffling questions are answered in this engaging book by a physics professor at Pennsylvania State University. Ranging from playful to serious, Professor Bohren's lively and entertaining discussions employ a liberal mixture of humor and anecdote to debunk a host of scientific myths and render science lessons thoroughly understandable. Chapters include "On a Clear Day You Can't See Forever," "A Murder in Ceylon." "The Green Flash," "Physics on a Manure Heap," " Indoor Rainbows," and "Multiple Scattering at the Breakfast Table."
"The book rings with a unifying the science of the everyday physical world is fun. And so is the book," writes Jearl Walker, a member of the Physics Department at Cleveland State University. Beginning physics and general readers will be fascinated by the scientific knowledge gained from this work; and science teachers will find it a treasure trove of ideas for simple, vivid classroom demonstrations.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Physics

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1987

About the author

Craig F. Bohren is an American atmospheric scientist and physicist. Bohren wrote fundamental books on light scattering, atmospheric thermodynamics, and radiative transfer, as well
as popular science books on atmospheric optics.He is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Meteorology at Pennsylvania State University. He is an author of about 100 articles mostly on atmospheric optics, radiative transfer, and light scattering.

Reviews

[Nicolas L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turned the kindle back on and saw I had a few chapters left and finished it. I love learning and understanding radiation and thermodynamics through the lens of atmospheric phenomena, and this guy does too! Mama the magic is in the air. Everyone gets their own rainbow.

[Clivemichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and well over my head. This edition has black and white photos which take away from the description of rainbows. Fascinating discussions, experiments and personality. I imagine his students loved him.

[Maxim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clouds in a Glass of Beer - Interesting collection of small experiments/stories about atmospheric physics. I liked the ones about clouds, pressure, humidity/vapour pressure, but half the book is about optics (reflection/refraction) which I found less interesting.

3/5

[Keith Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I remember is that warm moist air combining with cold air makes clouds. And also that bubbles forming in carbonated drinks is essentially boiling. But those are two pieces of very useful information.

[Henning Klank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent