Physical Processes in Earth and Environmental Sciences

This book provides a sound introduction to the basic physical processes that dominate the workings of the Earth, its atmosphere and hydrosphere. It systematically introduces the physical processes involved in the Earth s systems without assuming an advanced physics or mathematical background. Offers an integrated approach to the study of earth, marine and atmospheric environmental sciences, reflecting current trends in undergraduate courses. Natural examples of physical processes, rather than abstract physics and maths, are used throughout to illustrate the scientific principles involved. Artwork from the book is available to instructors online at blackwellpublishing.com/leeder.

This book provides a sound introduction to the basic physicalprocesses that dominate the workings of the Earth, its atmosphereand hydrosphere. It systematically introduces the physicalprocesses involved in the Earth's systems without assuming anadvanced physics or mathematical background.* * Offers an integrated approach to the study of earth, marine andatmospheric environmental sciences, reflecting current trends inundergraduate courses.* Natural examples of physical processes, rather than abstractphysics and maths, are used throughout to illustrate the scientificprinciples involved.Artwork from the book is available to instructors online atblackwellpublishing.com/leeder.

Preface.Acknowledgments.1. Planet Earth and Earth Systems.1.1 Comparative Planetology.1.2 Unique Earth.1.3 Earth Systems Snapshots.1.4 Measuring Earth.1.5 Whole Earth.1.6 Subtle Interactive Earth.Further reading.2. Matters of State and Motion.2.1 Matters of State.2.2 Thermal Matters.2.3 Quantity of Matter.2.4 Matter in General Motion: Kinematics.2.5 Continuity: Mass Conservation in Fluids.Further Reading.3. Forces and Dynamics.3.1 Quantity of Motion: Momentum.3.2 Acceleration.3.3 Force, Work, Energy and Power.3.4 Thermal Energy and Mechanical Work.3.5 Hydrostatic Pressure Force.3.6 Buoyancy Force.3.7 Radial Force.3.8 Rotational Force, Vorticity and Coriolis Acceleration.3.9 Viscosity.3.10 Viscous Force.3.11 Turbulent Friction Force.3.12 Overall Forces of Fluid Motion.3.13 Solid Stress.3.14 Solid Strain.3.15 Rheology.Further Rading.4. Flow, Deformation, and Transport.4.1 The Oigin of large-scale Fuid Fow.4.2 Fundamental types of Fuid Fow.4.3 Fluid boundary Layers.4.4 Laminar Flow.4.5 Turbulent Flow.4.6 Stratified Fows.4.7 Particle Settling.4.8 Particle Transport by Flows.4.9 Waves and Liquids.4.10 Transport by Waves.4.11 Granular Gravity Flow.4.12 Turbidity Flow.4.13 Flow through Porous Solids and Granular Solids.4.14 Fractures.4.15 Solid Failure and Faults.4.16 Solid Bending, Buckling, and Folds.4.17 Seismic Waves.4.18 Molecules in Motion: Kinetic Theory, Heat Conduction, andDiffusion.4.19 Heat Transport by Radiation.4.20 Heat Transport by Convection.Further Reading.5. Inner Earth Processes and Systems.5.1 Melting Magmas and Volcanoes.5.2 Plate Tectonics.Further Reading.6. Outer Earth Processes and Systems.6.1 Atmosphere.6.2 Atmosphere-ocean Interface.6.3 Atmosphere-land Interface.6.4 Deep Ocean.6.5 Shallow Ocean.6.6 Ocean-land Interface: Coasts.6.7 Land surface.Further Reading.Appendix: Brief Mathematical Refresher or Study Guide.Cookies.Index