Life in Moving Fluids

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 484 pages
• Published by: Princeton University Press; 2 Revised edition April 1, 1996
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0691026165
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0691026169
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 1.5 pounds

Product Review
Vogel has a deep knowledge of hydrodynamics and knows how to teach the subject. Many phenomena are explained more clearly in his book than in common fluid dynamic texts. gorgeously produced.
(Jerry Gollub Physics Today )

This edition includes more of everything: more physical concepts, more biological examples, more sources for additional information. Vogel finds a way to make sense of even the least intuitive concepts.
(Mike May American Scientist )

Praise for the previous edition: "Required reading for students of biology at all levels of career development.
(Paul W. Webb Science )

For biologists who want to come to the beginning of a quantitative understanding of a wide variety of adaptations, for general readers who want to see how fluid mechanics works in a varied and often surprising context this book, full of data, rich in up-to-date and well-appraised references, is a first-class opportunity.
(Philip Morrison Scientific American )

Product Review
For biologists who want to come to the beginning of a quantitative understanding of a wide variety of adaptations, for general readers who want to see how fluid mechanics works in a varied and often surprising context this book, full of data, rich in up-to-date and well-appraised references, is a first-class opportunity.

Reader Reviews
"Life in Moving Fluids" is a well-written and entertaining, as well as technically accurate, introduction to the behavior of fluids. It explains many of the concepts of fluid dynamics in terms of biological examples, and is my first choice of book to recommend to biologists who want to understand the design and behavior of a wide range of plants and animals that live, as most do, in moving air or water -- our two most common fluids. That would be quite enough distinction for a book, but the utility of Vogel's book goes farther: it is one of the best introductions to the subject of fluid dynamics for those interested in physics, such as the nature of lift and drag, or the design of buildings or wind tunnels (sometimes the same thing). It also is helpful in physical chemistry where diffusion and convection must be understood -- to say nothing of how fluids move through the pipes and junctures of our equipment. I was inspired to write this review because I had just recommended the book to a colleague who was designing a wind tunnel to work at Reynolds numbers in the 10,000 range and whose previous sources were from aerodynamicists, whose designs are generally not appropriate at this scale. If you don't know what a Reynolds number is or why it is interesting, this book has the best explanation I've seen. It does not assume that you remember much, it teaches what you need as it goes along. Many are the times I've recommended "Life in Moving Fluids" to students and co-workers, and in each case, I have been warmly thanked. This review allows me to thank Dr. Vogel in a practical manner for his outstanding book. He also has a penchant for the occasional pun and keeps a light tone throughout, which makes the book suitable as pleasure reading for those who enjoy the popular science magazines, but don't mind a bit more depth. If you work in fields where fluid dynamics counts (see the section on prairie squirrels), or just fly model planes, the book is also a handy refresher/reference work. It'll blow you away. Comment | | (Report this)