Mass, momentum and energy balance. GEOP 230, GEOP 231 or MATH 317. The name may seem daunting but the subject is not. Examples of continua are the Earth itself, its atmosphere, oceans, glaciers, aquifers and volcanoes.
Continuum mechanics is concerned with motion of such objects.
Thus it forms the mathematical basis of subjects like seismology, hydrology, ocean dynamics, atmospheric dynamics, glaciology and volcanology. There are many excellent textbooks on continuum mechanics but most of these are extremely expensive and, in any case, available in the UBC Library. The final mark is based, roughly equally, on term work and a final examination scheduled for the standard examination period in December. Instructor's Statement For me, continuum mechanics is one of the most fascinating and fundamental subjects in the Geophysical Sciences. Not only does it clarify the mathematical basis of fluid mechanics, heat transport and elasticity it seems like a passport to unexplored regions of science.