This monograph provides an account of the physics and chemistry of ice. Informed by research from physicists, chemists and glaciologists, the book places emphasis on the basic physical properties of ice, the modes of nucleation and growth of ice, and the interpretation of these phenomena in terms of molecular structure.

Exploring the science in George R. R. Martin’s fantastical world, from the physics of an ice wall to the genetics of the Targaryens and Lannisters Game of Thrones is a fantasy that features a lot of made-up science—fabricated climatology (when is winter coming?), astronomy, metallurgy, chemistry, and biology. Most fans of George R. R. Martin’s fantastical world accept it all as part of the magic. A trained scientist, watching the fake science in Game of Thrones, might think, “But how would it work?” In Fire, Ice, and Physics, Rebecca Thompson turns a scientist’s eye on Game of Thrones, exploring, among other things, the science of an ice wall, the genetics of the Targaryen and Lannister families, and the biology of beheading. Thompson, a PhD in physics and an enthusiastic Game of Thrones fan, uses the fantasy science of the show as a gateway to some interesting real science, introducing GOT fandom to a new dimension of appreciation. Thompson starts at the beginning, with winter, explaining seasons and the very elliptical orbit of the Earth that might cause winter to come (or not come). She tells us that ice can behave like ketchup, compares regular steel to Valyrian steel, explains that dragons are “bats, but with fire,” and considers Targaryen inbreeding. Finally she offers scientific explanations of the various types of fatal justice meted out, including beheading, hanging, poisoning (reporting that the effects of “the Strangler,” administered to Joffrey at the Purple Wedding, resemble the effects of strychnine), skull crushing, and burning at the stake. Even the most faithful Game of Thrones fans will learn new and interesting things about the show from Thompson’s entertaining and engaging account. Fire, Ice, and Physics is an essential companion for all future bingeing.

Ice is one of the most abundant and environmentally important materials on Earth, and its unique and intriguing physical properties present fascinating areas of study for a wide variety of researchers. This book is about the physics of ice, by which is meant the properties of the material itself and the ways in which these properties are interpreted in terms of water molecules and crystalline structure. Although ice has a simple crystal structure its hydrogen bonding results in unique properties, which continue to be the subject of active research. In this book the physical principles underlying the properties of ice are carefully developed at a level aimed at pure and applied researchers in the field. Important topics like current understandings of the electrical, mechanical, and surface properties, and the occurrence of many different crystalline phases are developed in a coherent way for the first time. An extensive reference list and numerous illustrations add to the usefulness and readability of the text.

Sea Ice: Physics and Remote Sensing addresses experiences acquired mainly in Canada by researchers in the fields of ice physics and growth history in relation to its polycrystalline structure as well as ice parameters retrieval from remote sensing observations. The volume describes processes operating at the macro- and microscale (e.g., brine entrapment in sea ice, crystallographic texture of ice types, brine drainage mechanisms, etc.). The information is supported by high-quality photographs of ice thin-sections prepared from cores of different ice types, all obtained by leading experts during field experiments in the 1970s through the 1990s, using photographic cameras and scanning microscopy. In addition, this volume presents techniques to retrieve a suite of sea ice parameters (e.g. ice type, concentration, extent, thickness, surface temperature, surface deformation, etc.) from space-borne and airborne sensor data. The breadth of the material on this subject is designed to appeal to researchers and users of remote sensing data who want to develop quick familiarity with the capabilities of this technology or detailed knowledge about major techniques for retrieval of key ice parameters. Volume highlights include: Detailed crystallographic classification of natural sea ice, the key information from which information about ice growth conditions can be inferred. Many examples are presented with material to support qualitative and quantitative interpretation of the data. Methods developed for revealing microstructural characteristics of sea ice and performing forensic investigations. Data sets on radiative properties and satellite observations of sea ice, its snow cover, and surrounding open water. Methods of retrieval of ice surface features and geophysical parameters from remote sensing observations with a focus on critical issues such as the suitability of different sensors for different tasks and data synergism. Sea Ice: Physics and Remote Sensing is intended for a variety of sea ice audiences interested in different aspects of ice related to physics, geophysics, remote sensing, operational monitoring, mechanics, and cryospheric sciences.

Originally published in 1970, this book gives a comprehensive account of the properties of ice, the connections between them and the way in which they derive from the structure of the water molecule and the small mass of the proton. The properties are discussed in terms of quantum mechanics and solid state theory with emphasis on physical principles rather than on theoretical models. The book is intended as an exemplification of the principles of chemical physics for beginning graduate students in physics of physical chemistry and as a text and reference book on the properties of ice for research workers in glaciology, cloud physics, meteorology and associated fields. Although the author assumes a familiarity with fundamental physics, he has taken some trouble to make his account self-contained by reference to the underlying principles in every case or by more detailed discussion where the application is not a standard one.

This updated and expanded version of the second edition explains the physical principles underlying the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets. The text has been revised in order to keep pace with the extensive developments which have occurred since 1981. A new chapter, of major interest, concentrates on the deformation of subglacial till. The book concludes with a chapter on information regarding past climate and atmospheric composition obtainable from ice cores.

The Physics of Ice covers the state of knowledge regarding the structure, properties, occurrence, and movement of ice. This book is composed of eight chapters, and begins with an introduction and in the fundamental aspects of ice, including pure water freezing, circulation, occurrence, classification, and importance of ice. The subsequent chapters describe the properties, structure, freezing, and composition of sea ice and ice drift. These topics are followed by discussions on the crystallographic features, and mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of ice. The concluding chapter examines the factor influencing ice growth and decay. This book is directed toward physicists and researchers in ice-related fields.

Physics and Chemistry of Ice is an authoritative summary of state-of the-art research contributions from the world's leading scientists. A key selection of submissions from the 11th International Conference on the Physics and Chemistry of Ice, 2006 are presented here with a foreword by Werner F. Kuhs. An invaluable resource, this book provides researchers and professionals with up-to-date coverage on a wide range of areas in ice science including: * Spectroscopic and diffraction studies * Molecular dynamics simulations * Studies of Ice Mechanics * Quantum mechanical ab initio calculations * Ice and hydrate crystal growth and inhibition studies * Bulk and surface properties of ice and gas hydrates * Snow physics and chemistry This insight into topical aspects of ice research is a key point of reference for physicists, chemists, glaciologists, cryo-biologists and professionals working in the fields of ice and hydrogen bonding.

The Advanced Study Institute Ice Physics in the Natural and Endangered Environ ment was held at Acquafredda di Maratea, Italy, from September 7 to 19, 1997. The ASI was designed to study the broad range of ice science and technology, and it brought together an appropriately interdisciplinary group of lecturers and students to study the many facets of the subject. The talks and poster presentations explored how basic molecular physics of ice have important environmental consequences, and, con versely, how natural phenomena present new questions for fundamental study. The of lectures discusses these linkages, in order that overall unity of following sunimary the subject and this volume can be perceived. Not all of the lecturers and participants were able to contribute a written piece, but their active involvement was crucial to the success of the Institute and thereby influenced the content of the volume. We began the Institute by retracing the history of the search for a microscopic un derstanding of melting. Our motivation was straightforward. Nearly every phenome non involving ice in the environment is influenced by the change of phase from solid to liquid or vice-versa. Hence, a sufficiently deep physical picture of the melting tran sition enriches our appreciation of a vast array of geophysical and technical problems.

The cryosphere encompasses all regions of the planet that experiences water in ice form for some portion of the year. In this book, authors Melody Sandells and Daniela Flocco deliver an introduction to the physics of the cryosphere. This includes the Arcti