Ralph D Lorenz's Books

Spinning Flight

Dynamics of Frisbees, Boomerangs, Samaras, and Skipping Stones

By: Ralph D. Lorenz

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Spinning Flight

Dynamics of Frisbees, Boomerangs, Samaras, and Skipping Stones

By: Ralph D. Lorenz

More frisbees are sold each year than baseballs, basketballs and footballs combined. Yet these familiar flying objects have subtle and clever aerodynamic and gyrodynamic properties which are only recently being documented by wind tunnel and other studies. In common with other rotating bodies discussed in this readily accessible book, they are typically not treated in textbooks of aeronautics and the literature is scattered in a variety of places. This book develops the theme of disc-wings and spinning aerospace vehicles in parallel. Since many of the examples are recreational, anyone who enjoys these activities will likely find it profitable and enjoyable. In addition to spinning objects of various shapes, several exotic manned aircraft with disc planforms have been proposed and a prototypes built – these include a Nazi ‘secret weapon’ and the De Havilland Avrocar, also discussed in the book. Boomerangs represent another category of spinning aerodynamic body whose behavior can only be understood by coupling aerodynamics with gyrodynamics. The narrative, supported by equations and graphs, explains how the shape and throw of a boomerang relates to its trajectory. The natural world presents still other examples, namely the samaras or ‘seed-wings’ of many tree species, which autorotate during their descent, like a helicopter whose engine has failed. The flight performance of these spinning wings directly affects the dispersal and thus the evolutionary competitiveness of the trees concerned. Samara-type configurations are also considered for instrumentation and other payload dispersal applications. In short, the book discusses a range of familiar, connected, but largely undeveloped, topics in an accessible, but complete, manner. From the reviews of the first edition: "In his fascinating book Spinning Flight, Ralph Lorenz provides a rich feast of ... examples of spinning bodies ... . The book is well organized ... . The discussion in the book ... should be accessible to readers with some elementary understanding of aerodynamic principles. For the expert, the book is full of open problems ... . Its scope is extensive ... . In this respect, there may be something for everyone within its attractively designed cover ... ." (H. K. Moffatt, Nature, Vol. 444, December, 2006) "If you liked physics at school, then this book is for you. It concerns itself with flying objects that spin through the air, and even tells you how to impress your friends with the biomechanics of Frisbees. ... there is plenty of information at all levels, and the book has a wealth of detail that only an aerospace engineer like Lorenz could have come up with." (Len Fisher, BBC Focus, February, 2007)

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Page Count

369

Publisher

Springer Science & Business Media

Published Date

ISBN 10

0387472894

ISBN 13

9780387472898

Exploring Planetary Climate

A History of Scientific Discovery on Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan

By: Ralph D. Lorenz

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Exploring Planetary Climate

A History of Scientific Discovery on Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan

By: Ralph D. Lorenz

This book chronicles the history of climate science and planetary exploration, focusing on our ever-expanding knowledge of Earth's climate, and the parallel research underway on some of our nearest neighbours: Mars, Venus and Titan. From early telescopic observation of clouds and ice caps on planetary bodies in the seventeenth century, to the dawn of the space age and the first robotic planetary explorers, the book presents a comprehensive chronological overview of planetary climate research, right up to the dramatic recent developments in detecting and characterising exoplanets. Meanwhile, the book also documents the discoveries about our own climate on Earth, not only about how it works today, but also how profoundly different it has been in the past. Highly topical and written in an accessible and engaging narrative style, this book provides invaluable historical context for students, researchers, professional scientists, and those with a general interest in planetary climate research.

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Page Count

333

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

110864533X

ISBN 13

9781108645331

Dune Worlds

How Windblown Sand Shapes Planetary Landscapes

By: Ralph D. Lorenz,James R. Zimbelman

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Dune Worlds

How Windblown Sand Shapes Planetary Landscapes

By: Ralph D. Lorenz,James R. Zimbelman

This book describes how sand dunes work, why they are the way they are in different settings, and how they are being studied. Particular attention is paid to their formation and appearance elsewhere in the solar system. New developments in knowledge about dunes make for an interesting story – like the dunes themselves, dune science is dynamic – and the visual appeal of Aeolian geomorphology ensures that this is an attractive volume. The book is divided into 4 parts, the first of which introduces dunes as a planetary phenomenon, showing a landscape reflecting the balance of geological processes – volcanism, impact, tectonics, erosion, deposition of sediments. Dunes are then considered as emergent dynamical systems: the interaction of sand and wind conspires to generate very characteristic and reproducible shapes. Analogies are given with other emergent structures such as patterned ground before the influence of dunes on desert peoples and infrastructure is studied, together with their use as forensic climatological indicators. Dune Physics is looked at with regard to the mechanics of sand, the physics of wind, saltation – interaction of sand and air – dunes versus ripples and transverse Aeolian ridges, the classification of dune morphology and the sources and sinks of sand. Dune Trafficability considers soil mechanics, effects on mobility on Earth, Mars and elsewhere. In the second part, Earth, Mars, Titan and other moons and planets are examined, beginning with a survey of the major deserts and dunefields on Earth. The authors then turn to Mars and its environment, sediment type, dune stratigraphy, sediment source and sinks and the association of dunes with topographic features. Titan follows - its thick, cold atmosphere, methane dampness, low gravity, morphology – interaction with topography and the implications of dunes for climate and winds. Dunes elsewhere conclude this part. There are few dunefields on Venus, but there is a .possibility of Aeolian transport on Triton and volcanic-related windstreaks on Io.

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Page Count

311

Publisher

Springer Science & Business Media

Published Date

ISBN 10

3540897259

ISBN 13

9783540897255

Motion and Time Study

Design and Measurement of Work

By: Ralph M. Barnes

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Motion and Time Study

Design and Measurement of Work

By: Ralph M. Barnes

An updated demonstration of the application of motion and time study to the design and measurement of work and industrial problem-solving. Illustrations and practical examples show how motion and time study can increase productivity, improve equipment utilization, conserve materials and energy, reduce human effort, and advance organizational goals. Includes discussions on computer-aided time study, human factors, and wage incentives.

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Page Count

709

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Published Date

ISBN 10

0471059056

ISBN 13

9780471059059

Exploring Planetary Climate

A History of Scientific Discovery on Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan

By: Ralph Lorenz

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Exploring Planetary Climate

A History of Scientific Discovery on Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan

By: Ralph Lorenz

An accessible and engaging account of the history of climate science and exploration on Earth and other planetary bodies.

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Page Count

333

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1108471544

ISBN 13

9781108471541

Space Systems Failures

Disasters and Rescues of Satellites, Rocket and Space Probes

By: David M. Harland,Ralph Lorenz

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Space Systems Failures

Disasters and Rescues of Satellites, Rocket and Space Probes

By: David M. Harland,Ralph Lorenz

The very first book on space systems failures written from an engineering perspective. Focuses on the causes of the failures and discusses how the engineering knowledge base has been enhanced by the lessons learned. Discusses non-fatal anomalies which do not affect the ultimate success of a mission, but which are failures nevertheless. Describes engineering aspects of the spacecraft, making this a valuable complementary reference work to conventional engineering texts.

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Page Count

370

Publisher

Springer Science & Business Media

Published Date

ISBN 10

038727961X

ISBN 13

9780387279619

Journey Through Calculus

Boxed Version

By: Bill Ralph

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Journey Through Calculus

Boxed Version

By: Bill Ralph

From the moment you enter the virtual gateway, you'll know that Journey Through Calculus is like no other Calculus CD that you've ever seen. This truly interactive CD has been designed to help students successfully navigate challenging calculus terrain. With stunning visual animation, unlimited problem-solving capabilities, and a powerful computer algebra system, Journey Through Calculus allows students to fully explore and appreciate the dynamic world of calculus. Journey's engaging activities emerge students in the study of calculus - often before they even realize it! Journey Through Calculus presents comprehensive coverage of all the topics of the single variable calculus course. Journey can also be used by professors in the classroom to bring lecture topics to life - keeping students focused and interested - and encouraging them to actively participate in topics being discussed. The Stewart Calculus texts have icons throughout referring to Journey Through Calculus. This CD, however, can be used with any single variable calculus text or by itself.

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Page Count

528

Publisher

Cengage Learning

Published Date

ISBN 10

0534262201

ISBN 13

9780534262204

Exploring Planetary Climate

A History of Scientific Discovery on Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan

By: Ralph Lorenz

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Exploring Planetary Climate

A History of Scientific Discovery on Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan

By: Ralph Lorenz

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Solve jigsaw puzzle

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Page Count

320

Published Date

ISBN 10

110867769X

ISBN 13

9781108677691

Book's by Ralph D Lorenz

Spinning Flight

Spinning Flight

Exploring Planetary Climate

Exploring Planetary Climate

Dune Worlds

Dune Worlds

Motion and Time Study

Motion and Time Study

Exploring Planetary Climate

Exploring Planetary Climate

Space Systems Failures

Space Systems Failures

Journey Through Calculus

Journey Through Calculus

Exploring Planetary Climate

Exploring Planetary Climate

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