The Physical Environment is an introduction to the academic discipline of physical geography, which is a comprehensive study of the natural environment. Physical geography, like other subdivisions of geography, is concerned with the spatial distribution of natural phenomena, and seeks to explain the distribution systems involved.
Physical geography is concerned with the processes that create natural phenomena.
For example, in studying climate, physical geography is concerned with where different climates are found, why they are there, how they affect people, and how people affect them.