Earth System Science Chapter 1 Chapter 1

A Model A representation of an object, process, or a phenomenon used for further study **Examples of a model: Inner Earth or Globe Inner Earth or Globe

A System A system is defined as a part of the universe that can be studied separately. Open system: the system and its surroundings freely exchange both energy and matter. Closed system: energy can enter and leave, but matter doesn’t enter or leave.

Is Earth an open system or a closed system? What do you think? Earth is essentially a closed system a closed system Earth receives and reflects the Sun’s energy Earth receives and reflects the Sun’s energy Very little matter leaves or enters the Earth Very little matter leaves or enters the Earth Earth’s resources are finite Earth’s resources are finite

Earth’s Four Spheres “Hydro”sphere – water – contains all of Earth’s water “Bio”sphere – life – all living things on Earth “Atmo”sphere – vapor - the envelope of gases surrounding Earth “Geo”sphere – earth – all of the physical features on Earth

Interactions between the Spheres One example: Hurricane Katrina > Hurricane (atmosphere) sweeps across the ocean (hydrosphere) and onto the land (geosphere), damaging the dwellings of people (biosphere) who live along the coast. > Hurricane (atmosphere) sweeps across the ocean (hydrosphere) and onto the land (geosphere), damaging the dwellings of people (biosphere) who live along the coast.

Human Activity on the Spheres Burning more fossil fuels puts more CO 2 into the air (atmosphere) Damming rivers and withdrawing groundwater can lengthen the time it takes a water molecule to move through the water cycle (hydrosphere) **Every action has an effect—what are our responsibilities?

The Scientific Method A series of steps scientists use to answer a question

Ask a question (determine a purpose) Ask a question (determine a purpose) ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ Form a hypothesis (an educated guess) Test the hypothesis (experiment) Make observations (collect data – facts & figures)

Analyze the results Draw conclusions (Do they support your hypothesis – Yes or No?) ↓

In your experiment: Control – standard for comparison (does NOT change) (does NOT change) Variable – changeable factor in an experiment (changes)

Two kinds of variables: Independent Variable - (manipulated variable) the variable the scientist changes Dependent Variable - (responding variable): The variable that changes because of the independent variable

What is the difference between a hypothesis, theory, and law? Hypothesis – prediction about a problem that can be tested Theory – an explanation backed by results obtained from repeated testing Law – “rule of nature” – generalized statement about how the natural world behaves under certain conditions and for which no exceptions have ever been found

Earth Science Lab Equipment and Formulas

Metric Ruler: Measures length Units are in meters (m) Triple Beam Balance: Measures the mass of an object Units are in grams (g)

Graduated Cylinder: Measures the volume of a liquid Units are in milliliters (mL) Read volume of the liquid with your eye level at the bottom of the meniscus

Thermometer: Measures temperature Units are in ºC or ºF The Boiling Point of water is… _________ ˚C _________ ˚F The Freezing point of water is… _________ ˚C _________ ˚F

Formulas Density: Measures the amount of material (mass) in a given space (volume) D= Mass\Volume D= Mass\Volume Units for Density = g\mL Units for Density = g\mL Practice Problem: A rock has a mass of 15 grams and a volume of 3 mL. What is the density of the rock? D= M/V D = 15 g/ 3 mL D = 5 g/mL

Temperature Conversions: To find Celsius: ˚C = (˚F - 32) / 1.8 To find Fahrenheit: ˚F = (˚C · 1.8) + 32 To find Kelvin: K = ˚C Volume of an irregular shaped object: Use water displacement with a graduated cylinder. 1ml of water = 1 cm 3 Starting volume = 200 ml Volume of object and water = 300 ml Volume of Object = 100ml

The Metric System The Metric System is also known as: International System SI Measurement The countries shown in red are those that DO NOT use the metric system

The Metric System is used by almost every country but the United States to measure: Time – duration Distance – length Volume – amount of space an object occupies Mass – amount of matter in an object Force – the push or pull of an object Temperature – amount of kinetic energy an object possesses

Base Units: Meter (m) – unit of distance Liter (L) – unit of volume Gram (g) – unit of mass Second (s) – unit of time Newton (N) – unit of force Celsius (ºC) – unit of temperature

Prefixes to DECREASE the base unit: Milli – 1/1000 Centi – 1/100 Deci – 1/10 Examples: 1 meter = 1000mm 1 meter = 100 cm 1 meter = 10 dm

Prefixes to INCREASE the base unit: Deka – 10 Hecta – 100 Kilo – 1000 Examples: 1 dam = 10 meters 1 hm = 100 meters 1 km = 1000 meters

Special prefixes for very BIG and very SMALL amounts: Mega – 1,000,000 Giga – 1,000,000,000 Nano – 1/1,000,000 Pico – 1/1,000,000,000

They really should switch! Why? Conversions are much easier when based on the number 10!