The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes (1941) is a science book, written by Ralph A. Bagnold. The book laid the foundations of the scientific investigation of the transport of sand by wind. It also discusses the formation and movement of sand dunes in the Libyan Desert. During his expeditions into the Libyan Desert, Bagnold had been fascinated by the shapes of the sand dunes, and after returning to England he built a wind tunnel and conducted the experiments which are the basis of the book. The book is still a main reference in the field, and was, for instance, used by NASA for studying sand dunes on Mars. It was recently reissued by Dover.
Famous quotes containing the words physics, blown, sand and/or desert:
“... it is as true in morals as in physics that all force is imperishable; therefore the consequences of a human action never cease.”
—Tennessee Claflin (1846–1923)
“Thus thinne and lean without a fence or friend,
I was blown through with ev’ry storm and winde.”
—George Herbert (1593–1633)
“Unhappy is the man for evermair
That tills the sand and sawis in the air;
But twice unhappier is he, I lairn,
That feidis in his hairt a mad desire
And follows on a woman thro the fire,
Led by a blind and teachit by a bairn.”
—Mark Alexander Boyd (1563–1601)
“That undefined and mingled hum,
Voice of the desert never dumb!”
—James Hogg (1770–1835)