Download Earth_Basics_for_CAPT - Mrs. GM Earth Science 300

3 Forms of Energy Transfer
• 1. conduction
– transfer of energy (mostly in
solids) by collisions of particles
• 2. convection
– transfer of energy by currents
moving through liquids or gases
(caused by density differences)
• 3. radiation
– transfer of energy through empty
space (no molecules needed)
–Ex. energy from the Sun
Recycling of Materials Amongst Earth’s Spheres
• Earth is
constantly
recycling
materials
– maintains an
overall balance
through
biogeochemical
cycles
• water
• carbon
• etc.
Solar Energy Drives the Water Cycle
condensation
The Water Cycle
1. precipitation
–water that
falls from
clouds to
Earth
• drizzle, rain,
snow, sleet,
hail
2. infiltration
– water soaks into soil
from the surface
3. ground water
–water under the
ground; soil is saturated
4. evaporation
– warmth from Sun
causes liquid water to
turn into water vapor
5. transpiration
–when plants give off
water vapor through
stomata in their leaves
evaporation
6. condensation
– water vapor cools until it turns back into liquid
– forming clouds, fog, or dew
condensation
Groundwater Pollution
• pollutants in soil carried by
infiltration into groundwater
– oil
– nitrates & phosphates
• from fertilizers
– pesticides
– farm wastes
– sewage
– salt
• to melt ice
– chemicals & hazardous wastes
– and more…
• can be a reason
for site to be
designated a
“brownfield”
• remediation
(clean up ) 
expensive
– prevention 
best
Carbon Cycle
Changes in CO2 & Climate
• CO2 levels have
risen steadily
since mid-1800s
– primarily due to
human activities
• combustion of
fossil fuels
– coal
– gasoline
– natural gas
• deforestation
– decreased
photosynthesis
Changes in CO2 & Climate
• avg. global temps
have  ~1°C since
late 1800s
• Possible effects:
– sea-level rise
– more/stronger
storms/hurricanes
– more frequent heat
waves/droughts
– relocation of major
crop-growing areas
Common Air Pollutants
• air pollutant
– any airborne gas
or particle
concentrated
enough to harm
people or the
environment
– natural causes
• volcanoes
• forest fires
– human causes
• combustion of
fossil fuels
(automobiles,
factories, etc.)
Acid Rain
• pollutants (SOX & NOX)
react w/ H2O vapor in air
• acidity measured using pH
• effects
– harm to plants/animals
– damage to structures made
of limestone/marble
• remember… carbonates
bubble in acid
Weathering
• breakdown
of rocks at
Earth’s
surface
• 2 types:
• chemical
• mechanical
(physical)
Chemical Weathering
• rock is broken down by chemical action
• changed into new substances
• agents include acids & oxygen
Chemical Weathering
•rainwater 
naturally acidic
–CO2 dissolved in
rainwater 
carbonic acid
•can weather
carbonate-based
rocks
•ex. marble &
limestone (CaCO3)
•other rocks
are very
resistant to
acid and do not
weather easily
–quartz-based
rocks
•ex. quartzite
& sandstone
(SiO2)
Mechanical (Physical) Weathering
• rock is split, cracked, or broken into smaller
pieces of the same material
– NOT changed into new substances
The Rock Cycle
Rock Cycle Movie
• continuous process causing rocks to change
from one form to another
BrainPop 3 Types of Rocks
3 Major Classes of Rocks
1. sedimentary
– formed by compaction
& cementing of layers of
sediments
2. metamorphic
– formed by effects of
heat & pressure on
other rocks
3. igneous
– formed by solidification
of hot, molten rock
Sedimentary Rocks
• made of
sediments
• cover most of
Earth’s surface
Metamorphic Rocks
• metamorphism
– process by which a rock’s structure is changed
by pressure & heat
Examples of Metamorphic Rocks &
What They Formed From
•granite  gneiss
• limestone  marble
• sandstone  quartzite
•shale  slate  phyllite  schist
Igneous Rocks
• form due to MELTING
& solidification
– Intrusive
• magma cools slowly
deep inside Earth
– crystals  medium to
coarse texture
– Extrusive
• lava cools quickly
on/above surface of
Earth
– crystals  very small
or not seen at all
Convection Currents in Magma
• drives
plate
tectonics
Convection in the
Mantle Animation
What Is Plate Tectonics?
• theory that
describes
formation,
movements,
& interactions
of Earth’s
lithospheric
plates
Types of Plate Boundaries
• Earth’s lithosphere is broken in to large plates
– movement @ plate boundaries determines type
1.
2.
3.
divergent
convergent
transform
Divergent Boundaries
• plates move apart
• most are along ocean floor
– spreading @ mid-ocean ridges  molten rock
forces through cracks (rifts) in valley
Mid-Ocean Ridge
• Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Convergent Boundaries
• plates move closer together
Transform Plate Boundary
• plates slide past each other at fault
Transform
Boundary-San Andreas
Fault
Animation
– stress released  earthquake
– Ex. California—San Andreas Fault
N
Locations of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
• occur in concentrated areas @ plate boundaries
– strain builds up  earthquakes
– molten rock rises  volcanic activity
• Pacific Ocean  Ring of Fire
Ring
of
Fire
Plates &
Volcanoes
Video