1. The Study of Earth Science
Chapter 1 Section 2

2. Essential Questions Ch1 S2
What are the big ideas of Earth science?
What are the branches of Earth science?
How do Earth scientists use models?

3. Big Ideas of Earth Science
Earth Science is the term for the knowledge about Earth and its place in the universe.
Earth scientists use several big ideas to guide their work:
the structure of the Earth system, Earth’s history, and Earth in the solar system.

4. The Structure of the Earth System
The atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and
lithosphere work together to form one large system
called Earth.
biosphere
lithosphere
hydrosphere
atmosphere

5. Structure of the Earth Earth's Major Spheres 1. Hydrosphere
• Ocean is the most prominent feature of the hydrosphere.
- Is nearly 71% of Earth's surface
- Holds about 97% of Earth's water
• Also includes fresh water found in streams, lakes, and glaciers, as well as that found underground

6. Structure of the Earth Earth's Major Spheres 2. Atmosphere
• Thin blanket of air surrounding Earth
• One half lies below 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles)
3. Biosphere
• Includes all life
• Concentrated near the surface in a zone that extends from the ocean floor upward for several kilometers into the atmosphere

7. Structure of the Earth Earth's Major Spheres 4. Lithosphere
Picture: Model of the Earth
• earth’s solid rocky outer layer
- Crust—the thin, rocky outer layer of Earth.

8. Structure of the Earth System
What Is a System?
Structure of the Earth System
A system is any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole. (parts work together)
Change in one part effects the other parts (a change in one of the spheres
affects the other 3)
Matter and energy move from one part to the other

9. Structure of the Earth System
Energy is the ability to do work or cause change
The sun provides energy for the water cycle
and many other processes. The sun’s energy
is transferred to Earth as radiation (a form of
Energy that can move through space).
The earth’s interior also produces heat that
supplies energy for other processes. (like
volcanoes)
Structure of the Earth System

10. Branches of Earth Science
Overview of Earth Science
Branches of Earth Science
 Earth science includes
1. Geology -- the study of the solid Earth (geologists) more
2. Oceanography - the study of the ocean and all related to it (oceanographer) more

11. Branches of Earth Science
3. Meteorology - the study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather (meteorologist) more
4. Astronomy - the study of the universe (astronomers) picture more
5. Environmental science – the study of the Earth’s environments and resources (environmental scientist)

12. Models of the Earth
Models help people study and understand things that can’t be observed directly. There are different kinds of models that represent an object.

13. Terms related to a model of the Earth
Equator - An imaginary east-west line around
the center of Earth that divides the planet into
the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern
Hemisphere; a line set at 0° latitude.
Prime Meridian -An imaginary north-south line that divides the planet into the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere. The prime meridian passes through Greenwich, England.

14. Terms related to Models of the Earth
Determining Location
Terms related to Models of the Earth
Latitude and longitude are lines on the globe that are used to determine location.
equator
prime
meridian
Latitude is distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees.
Longitude is distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees.

15. Quiz
Latitude is a measurement of distance north or south of the _____________.
Hemisphere b. Equator
Index contour d. Prime meridian
The Earth is divided into four parts that work together as a_______________.
Sphere b. Energy
c. System d. hydrosphere

16. 3. True/False
A geologist is a scientist that studies the solid Earth.
Draw a circle like this one with the lines.
Label the
prime meridian
and equator. Label
The line of longitude
And latitude.

17. Space A C D E B
Return: Branches of Earth Science

18. Oceanography
We will explore our four major oceans, the properties of seawater, ocean floor and coastline features, ocean sediments, and major ocean currents.
Back Branches of Earth Science

19. Astronomy
In astronomy we will study such topics as the sun and other stars, planets and other objects in our solar system, lunar phases, tides, and eclipses.
Back Branches of Earth Science

20. Geology
Here we tackle a variety of topics including minerals and rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes, faults and folds, soils, erosion, mountains, plate tectonics, and geologic history.
Back: Branches of Earth Science

21. Meteorology
Here we will take a look at cloud and precipitation types, storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes, and fronts, pressure systems, and weather maps.
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22. Model of the Earth
Lithosphere
Return: Structure of the Earth