Transcript Introduction to Earth Science

Introduction to Earth Science
The Scope of Earth Science
The scope of Earth Science is
vast…………………
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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………………
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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
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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
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Oceanography is the study of
Earth’s oceans
Study salt water creatures
 Measure different physical and chemical
properties
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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
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There are 4 main Earth systems
Geosphere
 Atmosphere
 Hydrosphere
 Biosphere
 Each system is unique yet each system
interacts with the others
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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
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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
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Hydrosphere includes all of the
water on Earth
97 % is salt water
 3 % is freshwater in glaciers, rivers, lakes,
and ground water
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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
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Scientific Method
Notice a problem
 Gather information(facts)
 Hypothesis
 Experimentation or testing
 Analysis and conclusion
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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
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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
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Measurements are made in the
metric system
Based on 10
 Copy chart on page 13 into your notes
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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
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