Introduction to Environmental Physics: Planet Earth, Life and ClimateThe changing climate and its affect on all of us is becoming increasingly apparent - ozone depletion, hurricanes, floods and extreme weather behaviour. Introduction to Environmental Physics challenges the way we think about how and why environmental change occurs. This authoritative book aims to cover some of the more common and popular topics addressed in "physics of the earth", "physics of the environment" and "environmental physics" courses. It provides an essentially non- mathematical treatment suitable for a first year undergraduate level course. The principle topics covered are the physics of the built environment, the physics of human survival, energy for living, environmental health, revealing the planet, the sun and the atmosphere, the biosphere, the global climate and climate change. With contributions from well-respected experts on the subject, this textbook contains a summary, references and questions at the end of each chapter. This is an ideal textbook for first year undergraduates in a variety of courses, particularly physical geography, physics, environmental and earth science, with worked examples illustrating principles and vignettes from scientists who have made a significant contribution to the field enlightening the student along the way. As the authors say in the preface to this book, "At the outset of the 21st century there are many environmental challenges to be wrestled with, and though the environment is changing, the Physics is not!" |
Contents
Chapter | 1 |
Built environment | 9 |
1 | 15 |
6 | 47 |
Chapter 3 | 58 |
Chapter 4 | 91 |
4 | 99 |
6 | 105 |
2 | 180 |
7 | 194 |
Observing the Earths weather | 242 |
Chapter 9 | 275 |
Physics and soils | 319 |
Vegetation growth and the carbon balance | 363 |
Environmental issues for the twentyfirst century | 397 |
Entropy | 410 |
Other editions - View all
Introduction to Environmental Physics: Planet Earth, Life and Climate Peter Hughes,N.J. Mason Limited preview - 2001 |
Introduction to Environmental Physics: Planet Earth, Life and Climate Peter Hughes,N.J. Mason No preview available - 2001 |
Introduction to Environmental Physics: Planet Earth, Life and Climate Peter Hughes,N.J. Mason No preview available - 2001 |
Common terms and phrases
absorbed amount atoms average body building Calculate Cambridge carbon Chapter chemical cloud CO₂ concentration conduction convection crop cycle density dew point dioxide Earth's atmosphere Earth's surface effect efficiency electricity electrons emissions energy loss entropy environment Environmental Physics equation evaporation example Figure flow fluid flux force fuel gases geostrophic wind global warming gradient greenhouse heat Hence human humidity increase insulation irradiance land surface layer leaf leaf area index light London mass measure metabolic molecules northern nuclear oceans orbit organic matter oxygen ozone ozone depletion particles permanent wilting point photosynthesis plants pollution pores potential processes produce rainfall regions result satellite saturation soil profile soil water solar radiation specific heat capacity stratosphere suction surface temperature Table thermal conductivity thermal energy tion troposphere vapour pressure vegetation velocity water content water vapour wavelength waves weather wind speed