Introduction to Earth Science
What is Earth Science? Earth Science is a group of different sciences that deals with the Earth along with its neighbors in the universe. We’ll start with understanding Earth itself then move on to space!
What Will We Study? geology (physical and historical): study of the materials making up Earth, processes that shape it, & changes to Earth through geologic time This segment focuses on the part of Earth called the geosphere.
oceanography: study of the ocean ~ ocean water composition, ways the waters move, & geology of the seafloor and coastlines This segment focuses on the part of Earth called the hydrosphere.
meteorology: study of the atmosphere & processes that create weather and climate
astronomy: study of the universe ~ our solar system members (Sun, our moon, other planets, minor bodies) then out into the rest of the universe
Earth as Part of a System we’ll study Earth as being part of a system system: parts interacting with each other to form one complex thing if you change one part, others are affected – for good or for bad – this includes humans!
natural systems need energy to power them so material can be moved around Earth mainly uses the Sun heat from the interior of Earth is a second source of energy
How Did Earth Get Here? nebular hypothesis: enormous rotating cloud (nebula) made mostly of hydrogen & helium formed the bodies in solar system cloud began to flatten in the center to create the Sun nebula
nebula continued condensing to form other bodies inner planets were made from metallic & rocky clumps larger outer planets were made from fragments with high amounts of ices
Layers Form on Earth as Earth formed, lighter rocky material floated outward toward the surface while heavier material moved to the center (created the geosphere) gas escaped from the interior to gradually form the beginning of our atmosphere & the oceans (hydrosphere)
You can already see how what we will be studying this year is interconnected – each part building & depending upon the others. Let’s begin!