1. Introduction to Earth Science
Chapter 1

2. 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

3. A View of Earth
Earth’s Major Spheres

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

5. 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.

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

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

8. Scientific Inquiry
What is it?

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

14. 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."

16. Representing Earth’s Surface
Reading Maps

17. 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

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

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

20. 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)

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

22. 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

23. World Population

24. Environmental Problems
Acid Rain
Air Pollution
Ozone Depletion
Global Warming