Synopses & Reviews
This updated and enhanced Fourth Edition of ESSENTIALS OF METEOROLOGY is written by the most widely read, trusted author in introductory meteorology. Ahrens' ability to explain relatively complicated ideas in a student-friendly, manageable fashion allows even non-science students to visualize the principles of meteorology. Introductory stories at the beginning of each chapter draw students naturally into the discussion while "Did You Know?" sections highlight interesting weather facts and recent meteorological events. Updated material in this edition includes new Weather Watch and Focus boxes, as well as updated art, maps, and figures. The package of teaching and learning tools to accompany this text will now include course management, and a FREE, brand-new, student tutorial system - MeteorologyNow. MeteorologyNow is Web-based, assessment-driven, completely flexible, and contains a wealth of book-specific interactivities. It also offers a personalized learning plan based on each student's assessment results, helping the student focus on the concepts they don't yet understand. This complete teaching package provides each student with fun, interactive learning opportunities and an even greater chance for success.
Synopsis
This total learning package for the introductory meteorology course includes much more than a text--the book is packaged with the exciting Blue Skies
Synopsis
This updated and enhanced Fourth Edition of ESSENTIALS OF METEOROLOGY is written by the most widely read, trusted author in introductory meteorology. Ahrens' ability to explain relatively complicated ideas in a student-friendly, manageable fashion allows even non-science students to visualize the principles of meteorology. Introductory stories at the beginning of each chapter draw students naturally into the discussion while "Did You Know?" sections highlight interesting weather facts and recent meteorological events. Updated material in this edition includes new Weather Watch and Focus boxes, as well as updated art, maps, and figures. The package of teaching and learning tools to accompany this text will now include course management, and a FREE, brand-new, student tutorial system - MeteorologyNow. MeteorologyNow is Web-based, assessment-driven, completely flexible, and contains a wealth of book-specific interactivities. It also offers a personalized learning plan based on each student's assessment results, helping the student focus on the concepts they don't yet understand. This complete teaching package provides each student with fun, interactive learning opportunities and an even greater chance for success.
About the Author
C. Donald Ahrens is Emeritus Professor at Modesto Junior College and the author of two best-selling textbooks for Cengage Learning. The Textbook and Academic Authors Association awarded Professor Ahrens its 2009 McGuffey Longevity Award in the physical science category for his market-leading text METEOROLOGY TODAY, 9e. Dr. Ahrens has influenced not only professionals in the field of atmospheric science, but has brought better understanding of the science to hundreds of thousands of non-atmospheric science majors who used his books to expand their knowledge of weather and climate. In 2007, the National Weather Association awarded Professor Ahrens a lifetime achievement award for these accomplishments.
Table of Contents
Preface. 1. THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. Overview of the Earth's Atmosphere. Verical Structure of the Atmosphere. Weather and Climate. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 2. WARMING THE EARTH AND THE ATMOSPHERE. Temperature and Heat Transfer. Balancing Act--Absorption, Emission, and Equilibrium. Incoming Solar Energy. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 3. AIR TEMPERATURE. Daily Temperature Variations. The Controls of Temperature. Air Temperature Data. Air Temperature and Human Comfort. Measuring Air Temperature. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 4. HUMIDITY, CONDENSATION, AND CLOUDS. Circulation of Water in the Atmosphere. Evaporation, Condensation, and Saturation. Humidity. Dew and Frost. Fog. Foggy Weather. Clouds. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 5. CLOUD DEVELOPMENT AND PRECIPITATION. Atmospheric Stability. Determining Stability. Cloud Development and Stability. Precipitation Process. Precipitation Types. Measuring Precipitation. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 6. AIR PRESSURE AND WINDS. Atmospheric Pressure. Measuring Air Pressure. Surface and Upper-Air Charts. Why the Wind Blows. Wind Flow Aloft. Surface Winds. Winds and Vertical Air Motions. Measuring and Determining Winds. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 7. ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATIONS. Scales of Atmospheric Motion. Eddies--Big and Small. Local Wind Systems. Global Winds. Global Wind Patterns and the Oceans. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 8. AIR MASSES, FRONTS, AND MIDDLE LATITUDE STORMS. Air Masses. Fronts. Middle Latitude Cyclones. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 9. WEATHER FORECASTING. Acquisition of Weather Information. Weather Forecasting Tools. Methods of Weather Forecasting. Weather Forecasting Using Surface Charts. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 10. THUNDERSTORMS AND TORNADOES. What Are Thunderstorms? Ordinary (Air-mass) Thunderstorms. Severe Thunderstorms. Distribution of Thunderstorms. Lightning and Thunder. Tornadoes. Doppler Radar. Waterspouts. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 11. HURRICANES. Tropical Weather. Anatomy of a Hurricane. Hurricane Formation and Dissipation. Naming Hurricanes. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 12. AIR POLLUTION. A Brief History of Air Pollution. Types and Sources of Air Pollutants. Factors That Affect Air Pollution. Air Pollution and the Urban Environment. Acid Deposition. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 13. CLIMATE CHANGE. The Earth's Changing Climate. Possible Causes of Climatic Change. Carbon Dioxide, the Greenhouse Effect, and Recent Global Warming. Summary. Key Terms. Questions for Review. Problems and Exercises. Questions for Thought. Questions for Exploration. 14. GLOBAL CLIMATE. A World with Many Climates. Climatic Classification--The K