There is also a separate section on the interference of light. The physics of light is important in the sections on the generation of interference colours and the optical indicatrix. Terms used in describing light waves are defined in this part of the 'Optical Mineralogy' module. In the 'Rock Deformation and Geological Structures' module the introductory section covers scalar and vector quantities and the resolution of vectors into component parts. It deals with different types of forces and shows how the concepts are applied to the study of stress and strain of rock materials.
Physics even makes an appearance in palaeontology.
In the 'Systematic Palaeontology' module the mode of life of ammonoids is described. These organisms live in coiled shells made up of several chambers and the shell provides buoyancy. They can alter the buoyancy by changing the amount of liquid in the chambers and so adjust the level of the shell in the water. They also have to retain the correct orientation. In this module the way the centre of buoyancy and the centre of gravity have to be positioned in order to achieve these aims is explained.