introduction to earth science the scope of earth science
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Earth Science
The Scope of Earth Science
The scope of Earth Science is vast…………………
This broad field science can be broken into 5 major areas.
Astronomy Meteorology Geology Oceanography Environmental
Science
What is astronomy?
The study of objects beyond Earth’s atmosphere
Prior to the invention of telescopes………………
At first things were just described as they were in relationship to each other such as the constellations.
The constellations are totally imaginary things that poets, farmers and astronomers have made up over the past 6,000 years (and probably even more!). The real purpose for the constellations is to help us tell which stars are which, nothing more.
Meteorology is the study of forces that cause atmospheric change
These forces of change produce weather Used to forecast weather Determines climate
Geology is the study of materials that make up the Earth
This includes; Processes that form and change these
materials History of planet and life forms Identification of rocks Study of glacial movements Determination of how forces change the
planet
Oceanography is the study of Earth’s oceans
Study salt water creatures Measure different physical and chemical
properties
Environmental science studies the interactions between organisms and
their surroundings Study of how organisms impact
environment Energy sources Pollution Population growth Chemistry Physical science Biology
There are 4 main Earth systems
Geosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere Each system is unique yet each system
interacts with the others
The geosphere is the area of the Earth’s surface down to the center
Crust = outer most layer (2 kinds) Continental crust Oceanic crust Mantle= just below crust Core = below the mantle
Atmosphere is the gas(s) that surrounds our planet
78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen Remaining 1% include water vapor, argon,
carbon dioxide, and other trace gases Atmosphere provides O2, protects
organisms from radiation, and maintains temperature
Hydrosphere includes all of the water on Earth
97 % is salt water 3 % is freshwater in glaciers, rivers, lakes,
and ground water
Biosphere is where all living organisms exist
Includes all of the Earths systems and their interactions
Organisms continue to change constantly Will be studied further in units 3,4,6,and7
Scientific Method
Notice a problem Gather information(facts) Hypothesis Experimentation or testing Analysis and conclusion
Experimentation
Independent variable = factor that is changed by the experiment
Dependent variable = the factor that was affected by the independent variable
Control = the group in which no change was made
Investigation procedures can not always be controlled in nature
For example one can not control the amount of rainfall in an experiment dealing with the effects on rain on an area
Safety is always the most important issue Review safety procedures and symbols on
pages 954 – 955 in this book
Analysis and conclusions
Processes, data, and conclusions must be carefully examined to eliminate influences by expectations and beliefs
A scientist must be bias Many times a conclusion does not support
the original hypothesis
Measurements are made in the metric system
Based on 10 Copy chart on page 13 into your notes
Communication in Science
Lab reports Graphs = circle and bar graphs are visual
information Models = physical representations Theory = possible explanation of an event Law = a statement of fact