Introduction to Earth Science Chapter 1

What is Earth Science ? 4 Branches Geology  The study of the Earth Physical – materials & processes Historical – timeline of changes Oceanography – The study of oceans Meteorology – The study of the atmosphere, weather, & climate Astronomy – The study of the universe

A View of Earth Earth’s Major Spheres

Hydrosphere Continuously cycling 97% Salt, 3% Fresh All of the Water on the Earth Continuously cycling 97% Salt, 3% Fresh

Atmosphere Sustains life on Earth Thin, gaseous envelope surrounding Earth Sustains life on Earth 100 km thick, but 90% is condensed in the 1st 16 km.

Geosphere Lithosphere – the crust & upper mantle “Round Stone” – Core, Mantle, & Crust Lithosphere – the crust & upper mantle Asthenosphere – the molten upper mantle

Biosphere Includes all life on Earth Extends from the seafloor up to the atmosphere

Scientific Inquiry What is it?

Hypothesis – a possible explanation based on gathered data. Must be tested, analyzed, and retested If repeated testing fails, hypothesis should be discarded Example: The Nebular Hypothesis

ScientificTheory Very well tested Best explanation for certain observed facts Widely accepted by scientific community ScientificTheory Example: The Theory of Plate Tectonics

Scientific Law Universal and invariable facts of the physical world Can still be disproved if evidence is found! Scientific Law Example: The Law of Gravity

Purple Rabbits Hate Eating Aquamarine Carrots The Scientific Method State the PROBLEM Conduct RESEARCH Formulate a HYPOTHESIS Perform the EXPERIMENT ANALYZE the results Draw a CONCLUSION Purple Rabbits Hate Eating Aquamarine Carrots

Accuracy vs. Precision ACCURACY: capable of providing a correct reading or measurement. In science it means 'correct'. A measurement is accurate if it correctly reflects the size of the thing being measured. PRECISION: exact, as in performance, execution, or amount. In science it means repeatable, reliable, getting the same measurement each time."

Representing Earth’s Surface Reading Maps

Global Grid – divides the Earth into hemispheres. - Measured in Degrees Determining Location Latitude – measures distance NORTH or SOUTH of the Equator Lines run east to west Marked every 15o 0o to 90o Longitude – measures distance EAST or WEST of the Prime Meridian Lines run north to south Marked every 15o 0o to 180o

Globes – shows accurate shape and size of Earth’s features, but does not show accurate detail

The Effects of Humans on our Planet Earth System Science The Effects of Humans on our Planet

The Earth is a System Must have an energy source Two types of systems: System – any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole. Must have an energy source Two types of systems: Closed (car’s cooling system) 2. Open (most natural systems)

Earth’s Energy Sources 1. The Sun 2. Earth’s Core

People & the Environment Our actions produce changes in all of the other parts of the Earth System. Nonrenewable Resource May take millions of years to replenish Renewable Resource Can be replenished over short time

World Population

Environmental Problems Acid Rain Air Pollution Ozone Depletion Global Warming