Download SOL_Study_Book_4.7_Earth_Patterns

SOL Study Book
Fourth Grade
Earth Patterns, Cycles,
And Changes
Table of Contents
Page 1: Revolution and Rotation
Page 2: Seasons and Phases of the Moon
Page 3: Characteristics of the Earth
Page 4: Characteristics of the Moon
Page 5: Characteristics of the Sun
Page 6: Geocentric Model
Page 7: Heliocentric Model
Page 8: Missions to the moon
Page 9-10: Practice Questions
Revolution and Rotation
The Earth completes one revolution around the sun every 365
days.
The moon revolves around the Earth about once every month.
Rotation is the spinning motion of an object. (like a top)
Revolution is the circling motion of an object.
Page 1
Seasons and Phases of the Moon
Earth experiences seasons because of its axial tilt and its
revolution around the sun.
The phases of the moon are caused by its position relative to
the Earth and Sun.
The phases of the moon are
New Moon
Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
Waxing Gibbous
Full
Waning Gibbous
Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
Page 2
Characteristics of the Earth
The Earth is one of the nine planets that revolve around the
sun.
The Earth is the third planet from the sun and one of the four
rocky inner planets.
The Earth is about 150 million kilometers from the sun.
The Earth is geologically active with a surface that is
constantly changing,
The Earth has large amounts of life-supporting water and an
oxygen-rich atmosphere.
The Earth’s protective atmosphere blocks out most of the
sun’s damaging rays.
Page 3
Characteristics of the Moon
The surface of the moon is rocky with craters and mountains.
The moon is about one-quarter the diameter of the Earth and
one-eightieth of its mass.
The moon has extreme temperatures, virtually no atmosphere,
no water, and no life.
Page 4
Characteristics of the Sun
The sun is an average-sized yellow star.
The sun is about 110 times the diameter of the Earth.
The sun is approximately 4.6 billion years old.
The sun is very hot and made of gases (hydrogen and helium)
Page 5
Geocentric Model of the Solar System
Aristotle (384-322 BC)
-Greek philosopher and scientist
-Believed in an earth-centered universe
-Thought the heavens moved naturally and endlessly
in a complex circular motion
Ptolemy
-Astronomer and mathematician
-Believed the earth was stationary and was the center
of the universe
-Tried to solve the problem of retrograde movement of
Mars
Page 6
Heliocentric Model of the Solar System
Copernicus
-Believed in a sun-centered universe (Heliocentric)
-Earth orbits the sun in a circular motion
-Did not publish his theory until his death because of
the Catholic Church
Galileo
-Built a telescope and discovered mountains and
craters on the moon
-Observed the phases of Venus and Sun Spots
-Discovered Jupiter’s moon (4 largest)
-Upheld Copernicus’s sun-centered theory
-Place under house arrest for life by the Catholic
Church due to his beliefs
Page 7
Missions to the Moon
• 1963-1972 by NASA
• Apollo 11, 12, 14, 16, 17 landed humans on the surface
of the moon
• The six missions that landed on the moon returned a
wealth of data and 400 kg of lunar samples.
• Experiments included soil mechanics, meteoroids,
seismic, heat flow, lunar ranging, magnetic fields, and
solar wind experiments.
Page 8
Practice Questions
Page 9
Page 10