EARTH SCIENCE

WHAT IS EARTH SCIENCE?

The study of Earth’s interior, rocks and soil, atmosphere, oceans and outer space.

SEARTH SCIENCE IS ABOUT CONNECTIONS

Today scientists look more for the connections among the different parts of the Earth- its

oceans, atmosphere, living things and rocks and soil.

HEAT ENERGY FROM INSIDE THE EARTH AND RADIATION FROM THE SUN PROVIDE ENERGY FOR EARTH’S PROCESSES.

EARTH SCIENCE VOCABULARY• Energy- the ability to cause

change.• Evaporation- the process by

which liquid changes into gas.

• Convection- hot material rises, cools, then sinks until it is heated enough to rise again.

• Radiation- energy that moves in certain types of waves.

WHY IS EARTH SCIENCE IMPORTANT?

Understanding Earth’s processes makes it possible to:

• Know what types of crops to plant and when to plant them

• Know when to watch for dangerous weather

• Predict a volcano’s eruption in time to save people

CHAPTER 1: VIEWS OF EARTH TODAYBIG IDEA:

Modern technology has

changed the way we view

and map the Earth.

KEY CONCEPT 1.1:

Technology is used to

explore the Earth system.

Click on the following link to begin the journey courtesy of the Discovery Channel.

We know how fire destroys, but how does it create?

THE EARTH SYSTEM Has four major parts:

Biosphere Hydrosphere

Geosphere Atmosphere

ANTHROSPHERE

The FIVE Parts of the Earth System

System- an organized group of parts that work together to form a whole

ATMOSPHERE: THE MIXTURE OF GASES THAT SURROUNDS AND

PROTECTS THE EARTHCOMPOSITION:•NITROGEN (78%)•OXYGEN (21%)•CARBON DIOXIDE•WATER VAPOR•OTHER GASES

STUDIED WITH:•WEATHER BALLONS•PLANES•SATELLITES

The FIVE Parts of the Earth SystemHYDROSPHERE: MADE UP OF ALL THE

WATER ON THE EARTH (OCEANS, LAKES, GLACIERS, RIVERS, UNDERGROUND)

WATER COVERS ¾ OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE• ONLY 3% IS FRESH WATER• NEARLY 70% IS IN GLACIERS AND POLAR ICE CAPSSTUDIED WITH:• DEEP –SEA VEHICLES• BUOYS• SATELLITE IMAGES• DIVING SUITSAFFECTS THE ATMOSPHERE WHEN WARM/COLD

OCEAN CURRENTS INTERACT WITH WIND CURRENTS

The FIVE Parts of the Earth SystemBIOSPHERE: INCLUDES ALL LIFE

ON EARTH (IN THE AIR, WATER, AND ON LAND)

STUDIED WITH:• SATELLITE PHOTOS TRACK

YEARLY CHANGES IN PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE

• SPECIAL EQUIPMENT ALLOWS SCIENTISTS TO STUDY PLACES WITHOUT HARMING THEM

WHEN TREES EXCHANGE GASES THE BIOSPHERE INTERACTS WITH THE ATMOSPHERE

The FIVE Parts of the Earth SystemGEOSPHERE: ALL FEATURES ON

THE EARTH’S SURFACE (CRUST) ALONG WITH THE MANTLE, INNER AND OUTER CORES.

STUDIED WITH:• SATELLITE IMAGES• SOUND WAVES• COMPUTER MODELINGMATTER MOVES FROM THE

GEOSPHERE TO THE ATMOSPHERE WHEN VOLCANOES EXPLODE

The FIVE Parts of the Earth SystemANTHROSPHERE: THE PART OF

THE ENVIRONMENT THAT IS MODIFIED BY HUMANS FOR USE IN HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND HABITATS

STUDIED WITH:• CENSUS• OBSERVING AND TRACKING

MOVEMENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

THE ANTHROSPHERE AND HYDROSPHERE INTERACT DURING A TSUNAMI.

ALL FIVE PARTS OF THE SYSTEM SHAPE THE PLANET’S SURFACE

• Atmosphere and Hydrosphere- Not even the hardest stone can withstand the forces of wind and water. Over millions of years rain, wind, and moving water carved the Grand Canyon.

• Geosphere: Landmasses pushing together have set off earthquakes and formed volcanoes and mountain ranges like the Andes around the world.

• Biosphere: Plants, animals and humans have also changed the Earth. Walking or riding a bike over open land changes the surface of the planet.

How does this picture show all five parts of the Earth system working together?

THE END