Introduction to Earth Science

What is Earth Science? Earth Science the name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space.

Branches of Earth Science Oceanography Study of the oceans such as marine life, seafloor features, composition of seawater, and the movement of water Meteorology Study of the atmosphere and the process that produce weather and climate Astronomy Study of the universe and space Geology Study of the Earth

Parts of Geology Physical Geology examination of the material that make- up the Earth Historical Geology understanding Earth’s history and the physical and biological changes that occurred in the past

Earth’s Major Spheres Hydrosphere All the water on Earth Atmosphere Earth’s gaseous envelope Geosphere Earth below the hydrosphere and atmosphere 3 parts: Core, Mantle, and Crust Biosphere All living things on Earth

Determining Locations Global Grids Latitude distance north or south of the equator (east and west circles around the globe) Longitude distance east or west of the prime meridian (run north or south on a globe)

How is the Earth divided? Equator, 0˚latitude, divides Earth into northern and southern hemispheres Prime Meridian, 0˚longitude, passes through Greenwich, England divide the Earth into western and eastern hemispheres

Projection Maps Mercator Map Lines of longitude are parallel Grids are rectangular Directions are accurate Distorts sizes and distances on the map

Robinson Map Most widely used map Distances, sizes, and shapes are accurate

Conic Map Made by wrapping a cone paper around a Globe Used to make road maps and weather maps

Gnomonic Map Distances and directions are distorted Allows sailors to navigate the oceans

Topographic Maps Represents Earth’s 3-D surface in 2-D Shows elevations of the land Uses contour lines that indicates elevations Contour intervals indicate the differences in elevation between adjacent contour lines The scale is when a certain distance on the map is equal to a certain distance at the surface Ex: 1:24,000 means 1 unit on a map equals 24,000 units on the ground

What is Environmental Science? Used for things that focus on the relationships between people and the natural environment Examples of Nonliving Factors Affected: Water Air Soil Rock Temperature Humidity Sunlight

Resources Renewable Can be replenished over relatively short time span Plants, food, water, wind, and the sun Nonrenewable Cannot be replenished easily (takes millions of years to replenish) Oil, natural gas, coal

Population Growth Earth’s population is growing rapidly Graph is a “J” curve showing exponential growth

Environmental Problems Caused by Humans Air pollution Acid rain Ozone depletion Global warming Loss of fertile soil Contamination and depletion of water resources

Natural Hazards- Caused by nature Earthquakes Mud slides Flooding Hurricanes Tornadoes Droughts

Scientific Inquiry Hypothesis Stating a possible explanation Educated guess Theory Extensive tested hypothesis and widely accepted by the scientific community Still can be proven wrong Law 99 % true Law of Gravity

Steps to the Scientific Method Problem/question What do you want to know Research Learn about the topic Hypothesis Experiment Test the hypothesis Collect Data, measurements, and observations Analyze Data Conclusion Accept, reject, or modify the hypothesis

Measurements Length /Distance How long something is Unit m, km, cm, mm tools to measure length: meter stick or ruler. Temperature How much heat an object has (Molecular motion) Unit C˚, F ˚, K Tools - Thermometer

Mass how much matter is in the object Unit g, kg, mg Tools – balances, triple beam balance, and electronic scale

Volume How much space an object takes up Unit L, mL, cm³, cc(ml) Tools: graduated cylinders and rulers Volume of a regular object (block) L x w x h Volume of Liquids Use graduated cylinders Volume of irregular objects (rock) Water displacement with a graduated cylinder

Measurement Cont. Density Mass per unit volume Unit g/ml or g/cm³ Formula D = m/v Hint: Density of Water = 1 g/mL