Download Chapter 1.1 – Earth Science

Chapter 1.1 – Earth Science
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/
super-earth-exoplanet-atmosphere-101201.html
Branches of Earth Science
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Geology
Oceanography
Meteorology
Astronomy
Environmental Science
Importance
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Earth science provides us with information
on our place in the universe and the
resources to obtain from the planet
Goal of science
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To explain natural phenomena with
information gathered in a methodical
manner
Scientific Methods
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A series of steps in order to approach
scientific research systematically
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Observations
Forming hypothesis
Experimentation (variables)
Gathering Data
Drawing conclusions and reporting
Gathering Data
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In order to have good scientific data it
must be accurate and precise!
Percentage of error needs to be calculated
based on repetitions of the measurements
Models can be graphical, conceptual,
physical, computer or mathematical to
display the data
Acceptance of Ideas
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Results of experiments must be published
Results need to be peer reviewed
Ideas may become theories or laws if the
information is widely accepted and proven
Terms from chapter 1 for test
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Independent variable
Dependent variable
Scientific Law
Theory
Observation
Hypothesis
Oceanography
Meteorology
Astronomy
Geology
Chapter 2 Earth: A Unique Planet
70% of Earth’s surface is covered by global
ocean.
 Structural Zones of the Earth’s crust:
Lithosphere-solid outer layer of Earth made up
of crust/rigid upper part of the mantle
Asthenosphere-solid plastic layer of mantle rock
that flows slowly and allows tectonic plates to
move on top of it
Mesosphere- “middle” strong lower part of
mantle between asthenosphere & outer core
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Energy in the Earth system:
Closed system-energy but NOT matter is
exchanged with the surroundings
Open system-Both energy AND matter are
exchanged with the surroundings
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4 spheres
1. Atmosphere-mixture of gases that
surrounds a planet or moon
2. Hydrosphere-water portion of the Earth
3. geosphere-mostly solid rocky part of
Earth
4. Biosphere- part of Earth where life
exists (includes all living organisms)
Cycles in the Earth system
Nitrogen- air to soil, plants/animals, back
to air again
 Carbon- short term- pants-> CO2 to
C6H12O6 Then animals consume the plants
and reverse the process
long-term- Storage of carbon in the
geosphere as plants/animals are buried
Phosphorus – rarely ever a gas – moves
through all spheres but the atmosphere
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Cycles continued
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Water Cycle-movement of water from
atmosphere to Earth’s surface to the
atmosphere again. Evaporationcondensation-precipitation
ECOSYSTEMS
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Ecosystem-a community of organisms and
their abiotic (non-living) environment (Eco
Greek word oikos = “house”)
To remain healthy, an ecosystem needs to
have a balance of producers, consumers,
and decomposers.
The largest ecosystem is the biosphere
(living).
In general ecosystems react to change by
restoring or maintaining the balance.
How does the transfer of energy
throughout an ecosystem begin?
-Plants capture solar energy through
photosynthesis (“light”)
Carrying capacity- the largest population
that an environment can support at any
given time
Food Web- diagram that shows the feeding
relationships among organisms in an
ecosystem
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