Lightning : Physics and Effects

This is the first book to cover essentially all aspects of lightning, including lightning physics, lightning protection, and the interaction of lightning with a variety of objects and systems as well as with the environment. Accessible to the technical non-expert, it is addressed to anyone interested in lightning and its effects. Lightning: Physics And Effects Is The First Book That Covers Essentially All Aspects Of Lightning, Including Lightning Physics, Lightning Protection, And The Interaction Of Lightning With A Variety Of Objects And Systems As Well As With The Environment. It Is Written In A Style That Will Be Accessible To The Technical Non-expert And Is Addressed To Anyone Interested In Lightning And Its Effects. This Will Include Physicists, Engineers Working In The Power Industry And In The Communications, Computer, And Aviation Industries, Meteorologists, Atmospheric Chemists, Foresters, Ecologists, Physicians Working In The Area Of Electrical Trauma, And Architects. This Comprehensive Reference Volume Contains Over 300 Illustrations, 70 Tables Containing Quantitative Information, And Over 6000 References And Bibliography Entries.--jacket. Introduction -- Incidence Of Lightning -- Electrical Structure Of Lightning-producing Clouds -- Downward Negative Lightning Discharges To Ground -- Positive And Bipolar Lightning Discharges To Ground -- Upward Lightning Initiated By Ground-based Objects -- Artificial Initiation (triggering) Of Lightning By Ground-based Activity -- Winter Lightning In Japan -- Cloud Discharges -- Lightning And Airborne Vehicles -- Thunder -- Modeling Of Lightning Processes -- The Distant Lightning Electromagnetic Environment: Atmospherics, Schumann Resonances, And Whistlers -- Lightning Effects In The Middle And Upper Atmosphere -- Lightning Effects On The Chemistry Of The Atmosphere -- Extraterrestrial Lightning -- Lightning Locating Systems -- Deleterious Effects Of Lightning And Protective Techniques -- Lightning Hazards To Humans And Animals -- Ball Lightning, Bead Lightning, And Other Unusual Discharges. Vladimir A. Rakov And Martin A. Uman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Lightning: Physics and Effects is the first book that covers essentially all aspects of lightning, including lightning physics, lightning protection and the interaction of lightning with a variety of objects and systems as well as with the environment. It is written in a style that will be accessible to the technical non-expert and is addressed to anyone interested in lightning and its effects. This will include physicists, engineers working in the power, communications, computer and aviation industries, meteorologists, atmospheric chemists, foresters, ecologists, physicians working in the area of electrical trauma and architects. This comprehensive reference volume contains over 300 illustrations, 70 tables containing quantitative information and a bibliography of more than 6000 references. A highly illustrated book covering all aspects of lightning, including lightning physics, lightning protection and the interaction of lightning with a variety of objects and systems as well as with the environment In this chapter, we introduce the basic lightning terminology (Section 1.2) and summarize the available quantitative information on various aspects of lightning in tabular form (Section 1.3).