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

by Craig F. Bohren

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.

Genres: Science, Physics, Nonfiction

216 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