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
www.blackwellpublishing.com/leeder.

Auteur

Dr Mike Leeder teaches and researches at the School of
Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK. His main
research interests are currently in the physics of sediment
transport by turbulent flows and in the interactions between Earth
surface physical processes and tectonics. He does active field work
in Greece and New Mexico, USA.

Dr Marta Pérez-Arlucea teaches and researches at the
Faculty of Marine Sciences, University of Vigo, Spain. Her main
research interests currently include fluvial and coastal
sedimentology, the determination of denudation rates, sediment
flux, deposition rates and coastal evolution in Galicia (Spain),
and the relation between tectonics and sedimentation in the Gulf of
Corinth (Greece) and New Mexico, USA.

Résumé
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 www.blackwellpublishing.com/leeder.

Contenu

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, and
Diffusion.

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