Download Earth Science Big Ideas

Earth Science Big Ideas
Astronomy
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Write one or more sentences that describes the relative motion of the following objects in the universe: Earth,
Sun, and Milky Way Galaxy.
2. Define: Rotation, Revolution, Precession, Nutation, and Barycenter
a. Rotationb. Revolutionc. Precessiond. Nutatione. Barycenter3. Cause of Seasons
4. Cause of Tides
5. Cause of Day/Night
6. Kepler’s Three Laws of Planetary Motion
7. Big Bang Theory
8. Hubble’s Law (expanding universe)
9. Nuclear Fusion, Electromagnetic waves, and Radiation
10. How does incoming solar energy make life possible on Earth?
Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
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Mechanisms that drive movement of the plates: Mantle convection, ridge push, and gravity pull
Plate boundaries: Convergent, Divergent, and Transform Fault
Plate Tectonic Landforms: Ocean trench, Ocean ridge, Volcanic chain Rift valley, Mountain range, and Hot spot
Subduction
Seismic Waves: S waves and P waves
Earthquake anatomy: focus and epicenter
Magnitude
Magma and Lava
Rocks, Weathering, Erosion and Soil
19. Types of Rocks and the Rock Cycle
a. Sedimentary
b. Metamorphic
c. Igneous
20. Erosion
a. Problems: Dust bowl and landslides
b. Solutions: contour plowing, terracing, and mountainside netting
21. Abrasion
22. Features from wind erosion (dunes, Monument Valley)
23. Features from water erosion (canyons, v-shaped valleys, flood plains)
24. Features from ice erosion (u-shaped valleys, glacial lakes)
25. Weathering: mechanical and chemical
26. Slowing down beach erosion: stabilization (groins, seawalls, breakwaters); beach nourishment; planting
vegetation/beach grass.
Freshwater
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Water cycle: evaporation, condensation, transpiration, infiltration, and runoff
Aquifers: confined aquifer, unconfined aquifer, cone of depression, ground subsidence, and water table.
Water Quality: wastewater, stormwater, sedimentation, eutrophication, and dissolved oxygen
River basin/watershed
Groundwater contaminants: salt-water intrusion, arsenic, and landfills
Oceans/Atmosphere
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Neap Tide and Spring Tide
Coriolis effect
Layers of the atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
Ozone and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Solar radiation: emission, transmission, scattering, and absorption.
Meteorology
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Atmospheric variables: air pressure, relative humidity, dew point, barometer, psychrometer, thermometer
Isotherm and isobars
High pressure system and low pressure system
Air mass
Fronts: cold, warm, occluded, and stationary
Storms: thunderstorm, tornado, and hurricane
Climate and Energy
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Weather and climate
Climate Classification: temperate, tropical, and polar
Greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases
Climate Change: thermal expansion and sea level rise
Energy Resources
a. Fossil fuels: coal, petroleum, and natural gas
b. Alternative energy: solar, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear fission, wave/tidal power, geothermal, and
biofuels.
Sustainability and Ecology
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Carrying capacity and Limiting factors
Population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
Biodiversity
Biotic factors and abiotic factors
Biome
Ecological footprint
Reduce, reuse, and recycle