1. Earth Sciences – Jack Pierce – MS 2
Meteorology
Geology
Oceanography
Astronomy

2. Studding the earth and surrounding
What is Earth Science?
Consider these questions?
Why do volcanoes erupt?
What forces produce mountains?
Why is climate so variable?
How old is the earth?
Why do we have ocean tides?
Is there really global warming?
Is there really ice ages?
How do we get water out of the ground?
How does earth “fit” in our universe?
Earth Science:
Studding the earth and surrounding
universe – using geology, meteorology,
oceanography and astronomy

3. Geology – the study of the earth
Physical Geology:
Materials that comprise the earth
rocks, minerals, earths interior,
processes acting below and above the
surface
Historical Geology
Understand the origin and development
Understand the chronological order of
geologic events over 4.6 by old earth
The geologic time scale
Dating various geologic events
The significance of fossils

4. Physical Oceanography:
The study of the ocean floor including
Ocean chemistry
Physics
Sea floor geology
Coastal processes
Sea floor topography

5. Meteorology: Study of the atmosphere and
processes that produce climate and
weather.

6. Astronomy: The study of the universe the earth’s place in our universe
the origin of our earth
earth is related to all other
objects in the universe

7. What questions do you have about your earth?
How do you think these questions are answered
with accuracy?

8. How do we find “accuracy” in our answers?
The Scientific Method-Science Inquiry
A set of logical steps scientists use to “get to the truth” of processes acting in the universe
Making Observations and Measurements
Collecting facts, asking why questions
Formulating a Hypothesis (predictions as to why)
Explaining how and why it works (after fact- finding), “educated guessing”
Testing the Hypothesis (experimenting)
performing experimentations that test the accuracy of the hypothesis

9. How do we find “accuracy” in our answers?
The Scientific Method
Scientific Theory
well-tested hypothesis – widely accepted view
that explains observable facts
Scientific Law or Principle
natural phenomena are observed to happen in
the same way – no deviations have ever been
observed

10. The Scientific Method
If you fail, try try
try again. 7

11. Observation/ Experimentation/ Theory
The Scientific Method in Action-- Astronomy
Observation/ Experimentation/ Theory
1,650 years of scientific method
Isaac Newton
Described the 3 laws
of motion, Universal
Gravitation, showed
earth and planetary
bodies are governed
by universal laws of
physics – thus ending
geocentric theory
C. Ptolemy
Almagest –
accepted the
geocentric model over
the heliocentric model
N. Copernicus
Continued with the
heliocentric
theory– --
and was widely accepted
J. Kepler
Developed the
three planetary
laws of motion
Revolutionized
astronomy
Astronomy
Timeline 10
A.D. 90 – 168

12. I Earth Science. Discuss with a friend:IC I
Earth Science.
Discuss with a friend:
Explain why the scientific method is
a useful tool for learning about the
processes that occur in our universe.
Define the steps within the scientific
method.
I will get an A on my exams and quizzes.

13. How is the Earth studied? (Earth System Science)
Various “systems” within the earth that interact
with one another -– called Earth System Science
Systems are NOT individually studied
How one system impacts another
system
System:
An integrated set of “parts” that work together to
accomplish a goal or task (objective)
Give an example of various systems.

14. ? Earth as a System: How systems exchange matter and energy
Which system is the Earth?
SUN
SUN
SUN
Isolated
System ?
Closed
System
Open
System
No exchange of
matter or energy
Exchange of energy
but not matter
Exchange of both
matter and energy

15. I Earth Science. Discuss with a friend:IC
Discuss with a friend:
3. Define a system as discussed in
earth science.
4. Differentiate between an open, closed,
and isolated system.
5. Explain why earth is considered a closed
system.
I will get an A on my exams and quizzes.

16. The fragile earth as a closed system is supported by four
interrelated open systems.
Lithosphere (geosphere)
Represents the solid earth:
minerals, rocks, and interior
Biosphere:
Includes all living
organisms on land,
in water, and in air
Atmosphere:
Thin blanket of gas keeping
life alive, warm, and protected
Hydrosphere:
Interaction of all water processes,
only planet with water,
71% ocean 12,500 feet deep,
streams, lakes, groundwater

17. Earth Science. I Discuss with a friend: 6. Define the following:
lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere,
atmosphere
7. Provide an earth process that takes
place between two open systems.
8. What is the meaning of geosphere?

18. Positive feedback works to change the system
An Important Aspect of Earth System Science
The earth maintains balance between the
open systems through positive and negative
feedback mechanisms.
Positive feedback works to change the system
Negative feedback works to resist the change
“Tug of War”
Working to change the system and working to
resist the change maintains balance within the
system.
weight gain example

19. Positive/Negative Feedback Example:
Earth’s climatic system – positive/negative feedback
Positive feedback
Negative feedback
Reflecting sunlight
SUN
water vapor –increases
air temperature
Water vapor condenses,
forming clouds
Evaporates
sea water
Ocean
Ocean
Increasing evaporation
(working to change the system)
Decreasing evaporation
(working to resist change)
Atmosphere maintains balance.

20. I Earth Science. 9. Describe the meaning of positive andIC
9. Describe the meaning of positive and
negative feedback mechanisms.
10. Explain how positive and negative
feedback mechanisms keep the earth
balanced.
11. Think of at least 2 positive/negative
feedbacks that balance the earth.
Discuss with a friend:
I will get an A on my exams and quizzes

21. The earth’s place in the solar system8.
The earth’s place in the solar system
Uranus
Neptune
Jupiter
Saturn
Outer planets
Jovian planets
Gas planets
Earth
Mars
Venus
Low densities
Mercury
Inner planets
Terrestrial planets
SUN
High densities
Asteroid Belt

22. Mantle -Solid Si,O,Fe,Mg,Ca
Lithosphere
cont/ocean crust
Upper mantle
2.8 g/cm3
Crust
Asthenosphere
ductile rock
Mantle -Solid Si,O,Fe,Mg,Ca
5.5 g/cm3
Mantle
Why are densities
arranged from
heavy (core) to
lightest (crust)?
Core
Temp:
5000 C
Source of
magnetic
field
Outer Core
Molten – Ni, Fe
11.5 g/cm3
Chemical
Differentiation
Inner Core
Solid- Ni, Fe
12.5 g/cm3
The earth’s interior

23. Oxygen, water, life Soil accumulation Plate Tectonics What makes
earth unique??
Oxygen, water, life
oxygen atmosphere
no O2 on other planets
the hydrologic cycle
Soil accumulation
weathering of rocks
various soil types
Plate Tectonics
moving continents
formation of landforms
from interacting plates

24. I Earth Science. Discuss with a friend:
12. Name the planets in their proper order.
13. Describe the layering of the earth
using lithosphere, asthenosphere,
mantle, and core; explain properties.
14. Describe chemical differentiation.
15. Present at least 3 reasons why the
earth is unique.
I will get an A on my exams and quizzes.

25. So, why study Earth Science? where to find resources and how to
We depend on earth’s resources.
where to find resources and how to
manage the resources
Understand earth (geologic) hazards
how earthquakes, land sliding, volcanic
eruptions, floods, hurricanes, tornados,
“just to name a few” processes, work!
Understand the complexity of the
interactions between the earth’s spheres
open system relationships between the
lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and
hydrosphere
Oh yeah! – So you get your science requirement