1. Welcome to Earth Science

2. EE Science News and Notes
Today, we’re going to start off with an assessment from the State of North Carolina
After that, we’re going to start into our first set of notes on the introductory topic to this course
Later in the week, we’ll continue our notes, take a quiz and work through our first lab
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET RETURNED YOUR SIGNED SYLLABUS, I WILL BE CONTACTING PARENTS STARTING TODAY! TURN IT IN!!

3. State of NC Final Exam: EES
Typically, you’ll get 2 hours to answer 45 questions
That’s approximately 3 minutes per question
It is all Multiple Choice (MC)
Today, I only have 26 questions for you, so you’ll get one hour and fifteen minutes (1.25 hours) to take the assessment
Once we’re all done, we’ll make our way through our notes

4. Why do we study the earth?
This is a shot of the earth from on high!
What do you notice about the image itself?
What ‘things’ could someone study?

5. The Nature of Science
BIG idea:
Earth scientists use specific methods to investigate Earth and beyond.

7. What is Earth Science?
The study of the Earth and the universe around it.
The study of earth systems and systems in space, including:
Weather and climate systems
Non-living things such as rocks, oceans and planets

8. What is each person studying?

9. Major Area 1: Astronomy
The study of objects beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
The oldest branch of Earth Science.
What was astronomy like in photograph 1?
What is it like now in photograph 2?

10. Major Area 2: Meteorology
The study of Earth’s atmosphere.
Includes:
Weather forecasters
Tornado chasers
Like to think about how weather changes might change Earth’s climate over time.

11. Major Area 3: Geology
The study of the origin, history and structure of the Earth
Get to ID rocks and fossils
Study glacial movements
Consider Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history
Determine how these forces might change the planet
How important is this?

12. Major Area 4: Oceanography
The study of the life and properties of the Earth’s oceans
Observe sea creatures and their oceanic habitats
Measure physical and chemical properties of water
Conduct field research in the ocean!
How much of the Earth is that?
Approximately ¾ of the entire Earth!

13. Major Area Five: Environmental Science
Study of the interaction of organisms and their surroundings.
How do organisms impact their environment both positively and negatively?
Looks deeply into:
Natural resource use
Effects of pollution
Energy sources (and alternatives)
Human impacts on atmosphere

14. WORD BREAKDOWN
What did you notice about the words describing the major areas we just considered?
Meterology and Geology
What do these prefixes mean?
Meteor
Geo
Climat
Paleo
Hydro
Eco
-ology means “the study of”
All derived from Greek empire, approximately 2000 years ago, where many of these terms originate!
What do these prefixes mean?
“of the atmosphere”
“Earth”
“climate”
“of prehistoric times”
“water”
“house”

15. Earth’s Systems
Land Air Water Life

16. Geosphere: Think like an avocado!
Area from the surface of the earth down to its center.
Crust
Continental crust
Oceanic crust
Mantle [100°C to 4000°C]
Core [up to 7000°C]
Inner core
Outer core

17. Atmosphere: Think like an onion!
The blanket of gasses that surrounds our planet.
Approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen [=99%]
Remaining 1% composed of water vapor, argon, CO2 and trace gasses.
Provides oxygen for living things
Staves off harmful radiation
Regulates planet temperature

18. Hydrosphere: Got Water?
Includes all of the water on Earth including in the atmosphere and in glaciers
97% is salt water
3% is freshwater found in:
Lakes and Rivers
Groundwater beneath the surface
Glaciers
Cryosphere: region of permanently frozen water on the earth.

19. Biosphere: The Stuff of Life!
All organisms on Earth and the environments in which they live
Organisms require at least one of the other systems for their survival!
These systems are interconnected or interdependent systems.
Interdependent = are dependent on and influenced by one another
EX: Humans (biosphere) change the atmosphere through driving cars and certain polluting industries.

20. CONCEPT CHECK for understanding
What are the four different main systems into which the Earth can be divided?
What does it mean if the Earth’s systems are all interdependent?
What is technology?
How has technology contributed to advances in everyday life? [examples]
Geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere
The systems of the Earth INFLUENCE each other
“The application of scientific discoveries.”
Our cellular phones utilize computer technology that originated from technological advances in computing and space technology.

21. Take TWO
Look at the image to the right, and answer the following two questions in your notes:
Which of the Earth’s main systems are being utilized in this picture?
What do you believe the message is that the artist was trying to convey though this image?