Earth and Cosmos (eBook)

A Book Relating the Environment of Man on Earth to the Environment of Earth in the Cosmos

Robert S. Kandel (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2013 | 1. Auflage
266 Seiten
Elsevier Science (Verlag)
978-1-4831-5803-7 (ISBN)

Infos

Earth and Cosmos presents a comprehensive view of the many connections between the environment of Man on Earth and the environment of the Earth in the cosmos. Topics covered range from matter, radiation, and the basic forces of nature to Earth's relation to the universe, the galaxy, and the sun. The energy balance and global circulation of the atmosphere are also discussed, along with continents, oceans, and climate. This book is comprised of 13 chapters and begins with an overview of the environment of Man on Earth, with emphasis on the Earth's chemical composition and how it is related to both cosmic and terrestrial processes; the radiation environment at the Earth's surface and above; how the atmosphere interacts with both solar and terrestrial radiation; and climate. The following chapters explore matter, radiation, and the laws of nature in relation to the universe; how the terrestrial environment is related to the structure of the universe as a whole; how the composition of the solar system and the Earth reflects the history of the galaxy; and the stability of the Earth's environment. The origins of life on Earth and the impact of human activities on the planet are also considered. The last chapter speaks of the future of humanity, and notably of the problem of the population explosion and its consequences. This monograph will be of interest to students, astronomers, planetary scientists, astrophysicists, biologists, chemists, and geologists.

Inhalt

Front Cover 1
Earth and Cosmos: A Book Relating the Environment of Man on Earth to the Environment of Earth in the Cosmos 4
Copyright Page 5
Table of Contents 6
Preface 7
Introductory Note by the author 12
Chapter 1. Overview 14
Chapter 2. Matter, Radiation, and the Basic Forces of Nature 20
Chapter 3. The Earth and the Universe 35
Chapter 4. The Earth in the Galaxy 41
Chapter 5. The Stability of the Terrestrial Environment 58
Chapter 6. Sun and Earth 87
Chapter 7. The Energy Balance of the Atmosphere 114
Chapter 8. The Astronomical Rhythms: Day and Night, the Seasons, and Tides 127
Chapter 9. The Global Circulation of the Atmosphere 149
Chapter 10. Continents, Oceans, and Climate 167
Chapter 11. Life and the Earth 181
Chapter 12. The Impact of Man 191
Chapter 13. The Future of Humanity 210
Appendices 234
APPENDIX I: MATHEMATICAL NOTATION, PHYSICAL TERMINOLOGY, AND UNITS 234
APPENDIX II: SCALES OF THE ENVIRONMENT 242
APPENDIX III: PROPERTIES OF THE PLANETS COMPARED 243
Bibliography 246
Index of Names 258
Index of Subjects 260

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 22.10.2013
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geophysik
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie
• Themenwelt: Technik
• ISBN-10: 1-4831-5803-9 / 1483158039
• ISBN-13: 978-1-4831-5803-7 / 9781483158037