We take it for granted, but without it we perish and if we continue to abuse it, it may kill us in the end. This fascinating text provides an understanding and appreciation of the role that air plays in our environment and its importance in relation to human life and technology. Aimed at those who are scientifically curious but who have no specialist training, it contains no mathematical equations and relies upon the qualitative descriptions and analogies to explain the more technical parts of the text together with simple home experiments to illustrate a range of air-based phenomena. Liberally illustrated with a range of line drawings and photographs, it recommends further reading for those who are motivated to learn more. This book offers invaluable background reading for both physics teachers and students.
Provides an understanding and appreciation of the role that air plays in our environment and its importance in relation to human life and technology
An introductory text for those who are scientifically curious but have no specialist training
Delivers qualitative descriptions and analogies and simple experiments that illustrate a range of air-based phenomena
Those who are scientifically curious but who have no specialist training
Table of Contents
About the Author
Chapter 1: Origin, Nature and Properties of Air
1.1 WHAT IS AIR MADE OF?
1.2 WHERE DID AIR COME FROM?
1.3 GLOBAL WARMING
1.4 HOW HIGH IS THE ATMOSPHERE?
1.5 HOW DO SOLIDS, LIQUIDS AND GASES DIFFER?
1.6 HOW DO WE DESCRIBE THE STATE OF A GAS?
1.7 HOW DOES HEAT TRANSPORT ENERGY IN AIR?
1.8 WHAT ARE THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF AIR?
1.9 WHY IS THE SKY BLUE?
Chapter 2: Air: the Supporter of Life
2.1 OXYGEN, THE GIVER OF LIFE
2.2 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE BREATHE?
2.3 OTHER ANIMAL BREATHING MECHANISMS
2.4 PLANT RESPIRATION
2.5 OCEANS AND RIVERS ALSO ’BREATHE’
Chapter 3: Aerodynamics and Flight
3.1 THE NATURE OF FLUID FLOW
3.2 WHAT MAKES AIR MOVE?
3.3 VISCOSITY AND THE BOUNDARY LAYER
3.4 LAMINAR AND TURBULENT BOUNDARY LAYERS
3.5 BERNOULLI’S EQUATION
3.6 HOW DO VISCOSITY AND THE BOUNDARY LAYER AFFECT AIRFLOW?
3.7 THE DEVELOPMENT OF AEROFOILS FOR WINGS
3.9 VORTICITY AND VORTICES
3.11 SUPERSONICS AND SHOCK WAVES
3.12 BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM
3.13 SOME OTHER FLIGHT MECHANISMS
Chapter 4: Sound in Air
4.1 WHAT IS SOUND?
4.2 SOUND ENERGY
4.3 EFFECTS OF AIR PROPERTIES AND CONDITIONS ON SOUND