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Fundamentals of Lightning

Fundamentals of Lightning

Fundamentals of Lightning

Vladimir A. Rakov, University of Florida
April 2016
Hardback
9781107072237
$79.99
USD
Hardback
USD
eBook

    This new book provides a focused set of topics suitable for advanced undergraduate or graduate courses on lightning. It presents the current state of the art in lightning science including areas such as lightning modeling, calculation of lightning electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic methods of lightning location, and lightning damaging effects and protective techniques. Pedagogical features designed to facilitate class learning include end-of-chapter summaries, further reading suggestions, questions and problems, and a glossary explaining key lightning and atmospheric electricity terms. A selection of appendices are provided at the end of the book, which include detailed derivations of exact equations for computing electric and magnetic fields produced by lightning. Designed for a single-semester course on lightning and its effects, and written in a style accessible to technical non-experts, this book will also be a useful, up-to-date reference for scientists, engineers and practitioners who have to deal with lightning in their work.

    • Written by one of the world's leading authorities on the topic and co-author of the acclaimed Lightning: Physics and Effects
    • Follows the content and structure of the lightning course that the author has taught over many years at the University of Florida
    • Appendices include material from the author's public lectures and cover popular questions such as 'is it true that lightning never strikes the same place twice?' and 'is it possible to use lightning as an energy source?'

    Reviews & endorsements

    'This is a very clear, easy to read and insightful book on one of the most fascinating and yet complex natural phenomena. The content and structure of the book are well designed for use on an undergraduate or graduate course on lightning. It is enriched with interesting exercises and problems, and is nicely complemented by nine instructive appendices. The book is a must read for anyone interested in understanding lightning and its effects.' Farhad Rachidi, Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory (EMC Lab), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland

    'This is an outstanding textbook, written by a leading expert in our field. It provides an excellent quantitative and in-depth treatment of lightning from its atmospheric origins through to its practical implications. The content is nicely organized and layered, making it well-suited for a variety of levels of undergraduate and graduate courses in electrical engineering, applied physics and atmospheric sciences. It will also serve as a great long-term reference for researchers in our field.' Kenneth L. Cummins, University of Arizona

    See more reviews

    Product details

    April 2016
    Hardback
    9781107072237
    248 pages
    252 × 193 × 15 mm
    0.73kg
    125 b/w illus. 13 tables
    Temporarily unavailable - available from TBC

    Table of Contents

    • Dedication
    • Preface
    • 1. Types of lightning discharges and lightning terminology
    • 2. Incidence of lightning to areas and structures
    • 3. Electrical structure of thunderclouds
    • 4. Properties of the downward negative lightning discharge to ground
    • 5. Calculation of lightning electromagnetic fields
    • 6. Modeling of lightning processes
    • 7. Measurement of lightning electric and magnetic fields
    • 8. Electromagnetic methods of lightning location
    • 9. Lightning damaging effects and protective techniques
    • Appendix 1. How is lightning initiated in thunderclouds?
    • Appendix 2. Reconstruction of sources from measured electrostatic field changes
    • Appendix 3. Derivation of exact equations for computing lightning electric and magnetic fields
    • Appendix 4. Compact intracloud discharges (CIDs)
    • Appendix 5. Is it true that lightning never strikes the same place twice?
    • Appendix 6. Is it possible to use lightning as an energy source?
    • Appendix 7. Lightning safety
    • Appendix 8. Lightning makes glass
    • Appendix 9. Bibliography on triggered lightning experiments and natural lightning observations at Camp Blanding, Florida (1995–2014)
    • Glossary
    • References
    • Index.
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      Author
    • Vladimir A. Rakov , University of Florida

      Vladimir A. Rakov is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Florida, and Co-Director of the International Center for Lightning Research and Testing (ICLRT). He is the author or coauthor of three other books and over 250 journal papers on various aspects of lightning. Professor Rakov is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Meteorological Society (AMS), the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). He received the Karl Berger Award in 2012 from the Scientific Committee of the International Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLP) for distinguished achievements in lightning research, developing new fields in theory and practice, modeling and measurements.