Synopsis
Continuum physics describes the physical world on a macroscopic scale. Despite the huge impact of quantum theory on physics in the 20th century, classical continuum physics is still an essential part of the physicists repertoire. Fields such as nonlinear science, geophysics, astrophysics, engineering and biophysics all require an understanding of the methodology of continuum physics, and the common principles underlying these very diverse topics at the macroscopic level.

Offering a modern approach to this most classical of subjects, Physics of Continuous Matter is first and foremost an introduction to the basic concepts and phenomenology of continuous systems, and the derivations of the equations of continuum mechanics from Newtonian mechanics. Although many examples, particularly in earlier chapters, are taken from geophysics and astrophysics, the emphasis has been placed on generic methods and applications. Each chapter begins with a soft introduction, putting the discussion within an everyday context, and the level of difficulty then rises steadily, a pattern which is reflected throughout the text as a whole. The necessary mathematical tools are developed in parallel with the physics on a need-to-know basis, an approach which avoids lengthy mathematical preliminaries.

Physics of Continuous Matter can be used as the main text for an early course on continuum physics or as the foundation for a series of related courses on more specialized topics. It will be an essential resource for physics students throughout the course of their degree and beyond.