What is Earth Science Consider these questions Why

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 factfinding), “educated guessing” Testing the Hypothesis (experimenting) • performing experimentations that test the accuracy of the hypothesis

How do we find “accuracy” in our answers? 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

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

The Scientific Method in Action-- Astronomy Observation/ Experimentation/ Theory 1, 650 years of scientific method Isaac Newton Described the 3 laws C. Ptolemy N. Copernicus J. Kepler of motion, Universal Almagest – Continued with Developed the Gravitation, showed accepted the three earth and planetary geocentric heliocentric planetary bodies are governed model over theory– -laws of motion by universal laws of the and was Revolutionized physics – thus ending heliocentric widely astronomy geocentric theory model accepted Astronomy Timeline A. D. 90 – 168 1473 -1543 1571 -1630 1643 -1727 10

I IC Earth Science. Discuss with a friend: 1. Explain why the scientific method is a useful tool for learning about the processes that occur in our universe. 2 Define the steps within the scientific method. I will get an A on my exams and quizzes.

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.

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

I IC Earth Science. 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.

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

I Earth Science. 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?

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

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

I IC Earth Science. 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

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

Lithosphere cont/ocean crust Upper mantle 2. 8 g/cm 3 Crust Asthenosphere ductile rock Mantle -Solid Si, O, Fe, Mg, Ca 5. 5 g/cm 3 Outer Core Molten – Ni, Fe 11. 5 g/cm 3 Inner Core Solid- Ni, Fe 12. 5 g/cm 3 Mantle Core Temp: 5000 C Source of magnetic field Why are densities arranged from heavy (core) to lightest (crust)? Chemical Differentiation The earth’s interior

What makes earth unique? ? Oxygen, water, life • oxygen atmosphere • no O 2 on other planets • the hydrologic cycle Soil accumulation • weathering of rocks • various soil types Plate Tectonics • moving continents • formation of landforms from interacting plates

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.

So, why study Earth Science? • 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