We begin by discussing the structure and dynamics of the so-called
standard model of radiatively-efficient accretion disks. We shall
focus on such disks since they turn out to be the most relevant
for iron K
studies of black hole systems. Our discussion will
be brief and aims at providing a review of the salient points required
for the observationally-oriented discussion later. The interested
reader is referred to the articles cited near the beginning of each
segment of this discussion.
-prescription