All geologists need a broad understanding of science to understand the processes they study and analytical techniques. In particular, geology students need to grasp basic physics, provided here in plain language and simple mathematics. Water, an essential component of geology, is emphasized, and many published errors on water are discernible when armed with this text. This updated edition discusses a range of topics, including electromagnetic radiation from optics to gamma rays, atomic structure and age-dating, heat and heat flow, electricity and magnetism, stress and strain, sea waves, acoustics, and fluids and fluid flow. It is indispensable for geology students, lecturers and researchers.