Hello …

What is Earth Science?

Ag Earth Science – Chapter 1.1

1.1 VOCABULARY

Bio

Life

Geo

Earth

Hydro

water

ology

Study of

Earth Science

A name for the group of sciences that deals

with Earth and it’s neighbors in space

geology

Study of the physical material and

historical make-up of the Earth.

oceanography

Study of the composition and

movements of seawater, coastal

processes, seafloor topography, and

marine life.

meteorology

Study of the atmosphere and the

processes that produce weather and

climate.

astronomy

Study of the universe

That’s Random

Overview of Earth Science

Earth science is the name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and it’s neighbors in space.

Earth Science is divided into four main sub-categories.

Geology – study of the Earth

Physical Geology – examination of the materials that make up the Earth and the possible explanations that for the many processes that shape our planet.

Historical Geology – understand Earth’s long history and establish a “time-line”

Earth Science is divided into four main sub-categories.

Oceanography - Study of the composition and movements of sea water, coastal processes, seafloor topography, and marine life.

Earth Science is divided into four main sub-categories.

Meteorology - Study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and climate.

Earth Science is divided into four main sub-categories.

Astronomy - Study of the universe

Formation of Earth

Nebular Hypothesis – suggests that the bodies of our solar system evolved from an enormous rotating cloud called the solar nebula. It was made up mostly of hydrogen and helium, with a small percentage of heavier elements.

“That’s Random”

Earth Science – Chapter 1.2

1.2 VOCABULARY

sphere

3-dimensionally round “ball”

hydrosphere

Water portion of the earth

atmosphere

Gaseous envelope around the Earth

geosphere

Composed of the core, mantle, and crust

biosphere

All life-forms on Earth

core

Dense, heavy inner sphere of the Earth

mantle

Located between the crust and core of the Earth

crust

Thin outside layer of the Earth’s surface

Dam Picture

Earth can be divided into four major spheres

Hydrosphere – water portion of the earth

Atmosphere - gaseous envelope around the Earth

 Geosphere - composed of the core, mantle,

and crust

Biosphere - all life-forms on Earth

Hydrosphere

All water on Earth

Oceans account for 97% of all Earth’s water

3% is freshwater (groundwater, streams, lakes, and glaciers)

Atmosphere

Life-sustaining gaseous envelope

Extends about 100km upward

Protects us from sun’s heat and dangerous radiation

Geosphere

Lies beneath both the atmosphere and the ocean

The geosphere is not uniform and is divided into 3 main parts based on composition. Core – dense center of

the Earth Mantle – middle layer of

the Earth Crust – thin, outer layer

of Earth

Biosphere

Consists of all life on Earth

Plate Tectonics - Theory

Earth’s lithosphere is broken into several sections called plates

These plates move slowly and continuously due to the unequal distribution of heat within Earth

The movements of these plates generate earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the deformation of large masses of rock into mountains.

That’s Random

Ag Earth Science – Chapter 1.3

1.3 VOCABULARY

latitude

The distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees

longitude

The distance east or west of the prime meridian, measure in degrees.

topographic map

A map that represents Earth’s surface in three dimensions (3-D). It shows elevation, distance, directions, and slope angles.

contour line

Line on a topographic map that indicates an elevation; Every point along a contour line is an elevation.

contour interval

On a topographic map, tells the distance in elevation between adjacent contour lines.

That’s Random

Determining Location

Global Grid

Scientists use two special Earth measurements to describe location.

The distance around Earth is measured in degrees.

Latitude is the distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees.

Longitude is the distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees.

Determining Location

Maps and Mapping 

A map is a flat representation of Earth’s surface

No matter what kind of map is made, some portion of the surface will always look either too small, too big, or out of place. Mapmakers have, however, found ways to limit the distortion of shape, size, distance, and direction.

The Mercator Projection Map

The Conic Projection Map

The Gnomonic Projection Map

Determining Location

Topographic Maps

A topographic map represents Earth’s three dimensional surface in two dimensions.

Topographic maps differ from the other maps discussed so far because topographic maps show elevation.

Topographical maps show elevation of Earth’s surface by means of contour lines.

The elevation of the land is indicated by using contour lines.

The contour interval tells you the difference in elevation between adjacent lines.

Geologic maps show the variations of rock type and age that are exposed at the surface.

Determining Location

Advanced Technology

Today’s technology provides us with the ability to more precisely analyze Earth’s physical properties.

Satellites

Computers

GPS (Global Positioning Systems)

“Old School” GPS Systems

Ag Earth Science – Chapter 1.4

1.4 VOCABULARY

system

Any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole

“Hot” ….. “On Fire” … Quite the Match!

Earth System Science

A way at looking at Earth from what we know in other sciences such as geology, chemistry, and/or biology.

The goal is to understand Earth as a system made up of numerous interacting parts, or subsystems.

What is a System?

A system can be any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole.

What is a System?

The Earth system is powered by energy from two sources

  Sun – The sun is the source that

drives external processes that occur in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and at the earth’s surface.

  Earth’s Interior – The heat from the

interior of Earth power processes like earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains.

Humans are also part of the Earth’s system

Our actions produce changes in all of the other parts of the earth system

People and the Environment

Environment – everything that surrounds and influences an organism

Environmental Science – the relationships between people and the natural environment

Resources are the foundation of modern civilization and include water, soil, metallic and nonmetallic minerals, and energy.

Renewable resources – can be replenished over relatively short time spans

Examples - trees (wood), solar, wind, and water

Non-renewable resources – take long periods (millions of years) to create and replenish

Examples – natural gas, oil, and coal

Environmental Problems

Two main attributes caused increased population (1) Agricultural Revolution as better nutrition = longer life span, and (2) Industrial Revolution as non-renewable resources were used (fossil fuels) = Increase technology and medical improvements.

Significant threats to the government include air pollution, acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming.

“That’s Random”

Ag Earth Science – Chapter 1.1

1.5 VOCABULARY

hypothesis

A tentative explanation that is tested to determine if it is valid

experimentation

The testing of an idea

experimental error

In conducting an experiment, a person encounters one or more errors

variables

Those parts of an experiment that can change during an experiment and influence the results

conclusion

A decision that is reached after thinking/analyzing about certain facts or information

theory

A well-tested and widely accepted view that explains certain observable facts.

scientific law

Results from many scientists repeatedly reaching the same conclusions.

Scientific Method

BCHS Graduate ….

Scientific Method

The process of gathering facts through observations and formulating scientific hypotheses and theories

Steps in Scientific Method

Collection of scientific facts through observation and measurement

  Development of one or more working hypotheses to explain these

facts

Development of observations and experiments to test hypotheses

Acceptance, modification, or rejection of the hypothesis based on extensive testing

Hypothesis

Once data have been gathered, scientists try to explain how or why things happen in the manner observed.

Scientists do this by stating a possible explanation called a hypothesis

A hypothesis must be “testable”

Theory

A scientific theory is a well tested and widely accepted by the scientific community and best explains certain observable facts.

THE END ….. for this chapter.