Table of Contents Chapter Preview 1.1 What is Science? 1.2 Studying Earth 1.3 Exploring Earth’s Surface 1.4 Topographic Maps 1.5 Safety in the Science Laboratory

Chapter Preview Questions 1. Solar energy strikes Earth most directly at a. the equator. b. the North Pole. c. the South Pole. d. mid-latitudes.

Chapter Preview Questions 1. Solar energy strikes Earth most directly at a. the equator. b. the North Pole. c. the South Pole. d. mid-latitudes.

Chapter Preview Questions 2. Uneven heating of Earth by the sun causes a. volcanic eruptions. b. earthquakes. c. wind. d. landslides.

Chapter Preview Questions 2. Uneven heating of Earth by the sun causes a. volcanic eruptions. b. earthquakes. c. wind. d. landslides.

Chapter Preview Questions 3. The amount of heat that Earth receives from the sun varies with latitude because a. of fusion in the sun’s core. b. the sun is a yellow star. c. the sun is the closest star to Earth. d. of the sun’s height in the sky.

Chapter Preview Questions 3. The amount of heat that Earth receives from the sun varies with latitude because a. of fusion in the sun’s core. b. the sun is a yellow star. c. the sun is the closest star to Earth. d. of the sun’s height in the sky.

Chapter Preview Questions 4. Much of the energy on Earth is from a. the sun. b. Earth’s volcanoes. c. earthquakes. d. Earth’s core.

Chapter Preview Questions 4. Much of the energy on Earth is from a. the sun. b. Earth’s volcanoes. c. earthquakes. d. Earth’s core.

What is one main source of energy for Earth’s natural processes and living things? A flashlight beam and a ball can model how sunlight strikes Earth. Sunlight strikes Earth’s equator directly. But sunlight is more spread out where it strikes Earth’s polar regions. Explain how this uneven distribution of the sun’s energy affects Earth’s atmosphere and oceans.

High-Use Academic Words Definition Example Sentence n. A particular part of a place or surface In what area of the city is your school located? area

High-Use Academic Words Definition Example Sentence In a race, one factor to think about is the distance you will run. factor n. A fact to be considered

High-Use Academic Words Definition Example Sentence The scientist predicted that an earthquake might occur at the site. v. To take place; to happen occur

Apply It! Choose the word from the table that best completes the sentence. Keep your work ____ clean and safe during a laboratory experiment. area 2. Accidents sometimes ____ in a science laboratory. occur 3. Price is a(n) ____ to be considered in buying baseball tickets. factor

End of Chapter Preview

Section 1: What Is Science? What skills do scientists use? What is scientific inquiry? How do scientific theories differ from scientific laws?

Sequoias and Fire The graph shows the growth of sequoia seedlings in relation to the intensity of controlled burns. Use the graph to answer the questions.

Sequoias and Fire Reading Graphs What do the bars on the graph represent? Seedlings in different locations

Sequoias and Fire Reading Graphs What does the height of each bar represent? Percent of trees with seedlings

Sequoias and Fire Interpreting Data Which level of burn intensity led to the most seedling production? The least seedling production? High-intensity burn; unburned site

The Nature of Scientific Inquiry Scientific Inquiry refers to the many ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather. Pose Questions Form a Hypothesis Communicate Design an Experiment Draw Conclusions Collect and Interpret Data

The Nature of Inquiry Activity Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about the nature of inquiry.

End of Section: What Is Science?

Section 2: Studying Earth What are the parts of the Earth system? How is energy transferred in the Earth system? What are the branches of Earth science?

Earth as a System The atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere together make up the Earth system. Changes in any part of the system can affect the other parts.

Earth as a System

Energy Transfer Energy can be transferred from place to place by moving objects, by waves, or by heat flow. The different forms of energy transfer occur around us constantly. Moving Objects A moving object such as this baseball transfers energy from the pitcher’s arm to the catcher—or the pitcher’s bat.

Energy Transfer Waves When the fans cheer, sound waves transfer energy as they move through the air.

Energy Transfer Heat Flow Heat Flow transfers energy from the warm air into the cold ice cream, causing the ice cream to melt.

Energy Transfer Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic Waves transfer energy as they carry the TV announcer’s voice and image to people outside the ballpark.

End of Section: Studying Earth

Section 3: Exploring Earth’s Surface What does the topography of an area include? What are the main types of landforms? How do maps represent Earth’s surface and help find locations?

Elevations Across California On a trip from California’s coast to the Sierra Nevada, you would see many changes in topography as the elevation and relief of the land changed.

Types of Landforms There are three main types of landforms: plains, mountains, and plateaus.

What Is a Map? Maps are drawn to scale and use symbols to represent topography and other features on Earth’s surface.

Scales and Ratios A ratio compares two numbers by division. For example, the scale of a map given as a ratio is 1:250,000. At this scale, the distance between two points on the map measures 23.5 cm. How would you find the actual distance? 1. Write the scale as a fraction. 2. Write a proportion. Let d represent the distance between the two points. 3. Write the cross products. 1 x d = 250,000 x 23.5 cm d = 5,875,000 cm

Scales and Ratios Practice Problem A map’s scale is 1:25,000. If two points are 4.7 cm apart on the map, how far apart are they on the ground? 117,500 cm or 1.175 km; (1 x d = 25,000 x 4.7 cm) or (25,000 x 4.7 cm)

Earth’s Grid Distances around circles are measured in degrees.

Earth’s Grid The equator and prime meridian divide Earth’s surface into hemispheres.

Earth’s Grid The lines of latitude and longitude form a grid that can be used to find locations anywhere on Earth.

Earth’s Grid Every point on Earth’s surface has a particular latitude and longitude xxx

Click the SciLinks button for links on landforms.

Links on Latitude and Longitude Click the SciLinks button for links on latitude and longitude.

Latitude and Longitude Click the Video button to watch a movie about latitude and longitude.

End of Section: Exploring Earth’s Surface

Section 4: Topographic Maps How do mapmakers represent elevation, relief, and slope? How do you read a topographic map?

Mapping Earth’s Topography Mapmakers use contour lines to represent elevation, relief, and slope on topographic maps.

Topographic Map Activity Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about topographic maps.

Reading a Topographic Map To read a topographic map, you must familiarize yourself with the map’s scale and symbols and interpret the map’s contour lines.

End of Section: Topographic Maps

Section 5: Safety in the Science Laboratory Why is preparation important when carrying out scientific investigations in the lab and in the field? What should you do if an accident occurs?

Safety in the Lab These safety symbols remind you to work carefully when performing labs in this textbook series. Make sure you are familiar with each safety symbol and what it means.

In Case of an Accident When any accident occurs, no matter how minor, notify your teacher immediately. Then listen to your teacher’s directions and carry them out quickly.

Links on Laboratory Safety Click the SciLinks button for links on laboratory safety.

End of Section: Safety in the Science Laboratory

QuickTake Quiz Click to start quiz.