The Energy of Nature

About this book

Energy is crucial for events of every kind in this world or any other. Without energy nothing would ever happen. Nothing would move and there would be no life. The sun wouldnt shine winds wouldnt blow rivers wouldnt flow trees wouldnt grow birds wouldnt fly and fish wouldnt swim; indeed no material object living or dead could even exist. In spite of all this energy is seldom considered a part of what we call "nature." In The Energy of Nature E. C. Pielou explores energys role in naturehow and where it originates what it does and what becomes of it. Drawing on a wide range of scientific disciplines from physics chemistry and biology to all the earth sciences as well as on her own lifelong experience as a naturalist Pielou opens our eyes to the myriad ways energy and its transfer affect the earth and its inhabitants. Along the way we learn how energy is delivered to the earth from the sun; how it causes weather winds and tides; how it shapes the earth through mountain building and erosion; how it is captured and used by living things; how it is stored in chemical bonds; how nuclear energy is released; how it heats the unseen depths of the planet and is explosively revealed in the turmoil of earthquakes and volcanoes; how energy manifests itself in magnetism and electromagnetic waves; how we harness it to fuel human societies; and much more. Filled with fascinating information and and helpful illustrations (hand drawn by the author) The Energy of Nature is fun readable and instructive. Science buffs of all ages will be delighted. A luminous inquiring and thoughtful exploration of Earths energetics.Jocylyn McDowell Discovery