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. brulbrliOffers an integrated approach to the study of earth, marine and atmospheric environmental sciences, reflecting current trends in undergraduate courses. brliNatural examples of physical processes, rather than abstract physics and maths, are used throughout to illustrate the scientific principles involved./li/ulbrpArtwork from the book is available to instructors online at www.blackwellpublishing.com/leeder.Preface.pAcknowledgments.p1. Planet Earth and Earth Systems.p1.1 Comparative Planetology.p1.2 Unique Earth.p1.3 Earth Systems Snapshots.p1.4 Measuring Earth.p1.5 Whole Earth.p1.6 Subtle Interactive Earth.pFurther reading.p2. Matters of State and Motion.p2.1 Matters of State.p2.2 Thermal Matters.p2.3 Quantity of Matter.p2.4 Matter in General Motion: Kinematics.p2.5 Continuity: Mass Conservation in Fluids.pFurther Reading.p3. Forces and Dynamics.p3.1 Quantity of Motion: Momentum.p3.2 Acceleration.p3.3 Force, Work, Energy and Power.p3.4 Thermal Energy and Mechanical Work.p3.5 Hydrostatic Pressure Force.p3.6 Buoyancy Force.p3.7 Radial Force.p3.8 Rotational Force, Vorticity and Coriolis Acceleration.p3.9 Viscosity.p3.10 Viscous Force.p3.11 Turbulent Friction Force.p3.12 Overall Forces of Fluid Motion.p3.13 Solid Stress.p3.14 Solid Strain.p3.15 Rheology.pFurther Rading.p4. Flow, Deformation, and Transport.p4.1 The Oigin of large-scale Fuid Fow.p4.2 Fundamental types of Fuid Fow.p4.3 Fluid boundary Layers.p4.4 Laminar Flow.p4.5 Turbulent Flow.p4.6 Stratified Fows.p4.7 Particle Settling.p4.8 Particle Transport by Flows.p4.9 Waves and Liquids.p4.10 Transport by Wave@KÂ?(ö ¾Û€