Nicely illustrated alphabetical entries cover all the major earth and physical science topics, from aerodynamics and El Ni o to semiconductors and white dwarfs. Entries include a summary of core facts, ideas for making connections within the earth and physical sciences, and special color-coded boxes with more detailed information relating to discovers, science and society, the history of science, glimpses into the future, or a particular aspect of the topic. Volume 11 contains a general index as well as indexes on specific topics, including chemistry, cosmology, geology and mineralogy, oceanography, and physics. It also contains the periodic table, the geologic timescale, tables of conversions and useful physical constants, lists of Nobel Prize winners, and a glossary. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.