Physical Processes in Earth And Environmental Sciences

by Leeder, Mike R.; Pé; rez-Arlucea, Marta

• ISBN13: 9781405101738
• ISBN10: 1405101733
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-03
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

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.

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Planet Earth and Earth systems	1	(17)
Comparative planetology	1	(2)
Unique Earth	3	(2)
Earth systems snapshots	5	(2)
Measuring Earth	7	(3)
Whole Earth	10	(4)
Subtle, interactive Earth	14	(4)
Further reading	16	(2)
Matters of state and motion	18	(18)
Matters of state	18	(2)
Thermal matters	20	(4)
Quantity of matter	24	(2)
Motion matters: kinematics	26	(7)
Continuity: mass conservation of fluids	33	(3)
Further reading	35	(1)
Forces and dynamics	36	(66)
Quantity of motion: momentum	36	(2)
Acceleration	38	(2)
Force, work, energy, and power	40	(5)
Thermal energy and mechanical work	45	(4)
Hydrostatic pressure	49	(3)
Buoyancy force	52	(3)
Inward acceleration	55	(2)
Rotation, vorticity, and Coriolis force	57	(4)
Viscosity	61	(2)
Viscous force	63	(2)
Turbulent force	65	(2)
Overall forces of fluid motion	67	(4)
Solid stress	71	(12)
Solid strain	83	(9)
Rheology	92	(10)
Further reading	101	(1)
Flow, deformation, and transport	102	(101)
The origin of large-scale fluid flow	102	(3)
Fluid flow types	105	(4)
Fluid boundary layers	109	(2)
Laminar flow	111	(2)
Turbulent flow	113	(4)
Stratified flow	117	(2)
Particle settling	119	(2)
Particle transport by flows	121	(4)
Waves and liquids	125	(6)
Transport by waves	131	(2)
Granular gravity flow	133	(5)
Turbidity flows	138	(4)
Flow through porous and granular solids	142	(2)
Fractures	144	(12)
Faults	156	(16)
Solid bending, buckling, and folds	172	(7)
Seismic waves	179	(12)
Molecules in motion: kinetic theory, heat conduction, and diffusion	191	(4)
Heat transport by radiation	195	(2)
Heat transport by convection	197	(6)
Further reading	202	(1)
Inner Earth processes and systems	203	(34)
Melting, magmas, and volcanoes	203	(20)
Plate tectonics	223	(14)
Further reading	236	(1)
Outer Earth processes and systems	237	(56)
Atmosphere	237	(11)
Atmosphere-ocean interface	248	(6)
Atmosphere-land interface	254	(2)
Deep ocean	256	(7)
Shallow ocean	263	(7)
Ocean--land interface: coasts	270	(8)
Land surface	278	(15)
Further reading	292	(1)
Appendix Brief mathematical refresher or study guide	293	(5)
Cookies	298	(21)
Index	319