Physics for Geologists

Chapman R.E.0-203-30541-8

All geologists need a broad understanding of science to understand the processes they study and analytical techniques. In particular, geology students need to grasp the basic physics behind these processes, which this book provides in plain language and simple mathematics. It gives the reader information that will enable him to ascertain the validity of what he reads in scientific literature. Water, an essential component of geology, is emphasized, and many published errors on water are discernible when armed with this text. This updated edition discusses a wide range of topics, including electromagnetic radiation from optics to gamma rays, atomic structure and age-dating, heat and heat flow, electricity and magnetism, stress and strain, sea waves, acoustics, and fluids and fluid flow. The book gives basic definitions and dimensions and also some warnings about misunderstanding mathematical statistics, particularly of linear regression analysis, and unenlightened computation.

---

Table of contents :
Book Cover……Page 1
Title……Page 4
Contents……Page 5
List of figures……Page 11
List of tables……Page 13
Preface……Page 14
Acknowledgements……Page 18
Symbols……Page 20
Basic concepts……Page 22
Force……Page 33
Gravity……Page 49
Optics……Page 63
Atomic structure and age-dating……Page 79
Electromagnetic radiation……Page 86
Heat and heat flow……Page 91
Electricity and magnetism……Page 96
Stress and strain……Page 106
Sea waves……Page 122
Acoustics: sound and other waves……Page 127
Fluids and fluid flow……Page 132
Some dangers of mathematical statistics……Page 151
Appendix……Page 159
Notes……Page 161
References……Page 164
Further reading……Page 167
Index……Page 169