Unit One: Chapter 1 Earth Science

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Unit One Chapter 1Earth Science

• Intro to Earth Science
• Four Branches
• Earths Systems

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Thought Questions

• Why do scientists study Earth Science?
• Name and describe two main areas covered in Earth
  Science.
• Give an example of a theory?

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Objectives

• Name the four main branches of Earth Science.
• Identify the four primary systems covered in
  Earth Science
• Discuss the relationship between earth science
  and ecology.
• Define ecosystem.
• Define and explain how models are used in science

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The Study of the Earth

• Earth Science is the study of the earth and the
  universe around it.
• It is the oldest observable science and is based
  on the accumulated body of scientific knowledge
  that has been passed through time
• The four major studies of Earth Science
• Geology
• Oceanography
• Meteorology
• Astronomy

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Introduction to Earth Science

• Geology- the study of the origin, history, and
  processes that created the structure of the earth
• Oceanography- the study of the earths ocean
• Meteorology- the study of the earths atmosphere
• Astronomy- the study of the universe

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The Scope of Earth Science
1. Astronomy

• Astronomy is the study of objects beyond Earths
  atmosphere.

• Astronomers study the universe and everything in
  it, including Earths place in space, its
  neighbors, and other bodies in the universe.

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The Scope of Earth Science

• 2. Meteorology

• Meteorology is the branch of Earth science that
  studies the air that surrounds our planet.

• Meteorologists study the forces and processes
  that cause the atmosphere to change to produce
  weather.
• They also try to predict the weather and how
  changes in weather might affect Earths climate.

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The Scope of Earth Science

• 3. Geology

• Geology is the study of the materials that make
  up Earth and the processes that form and change
  these materials.

• Geologists identify rocks, study glacial
  movements, interpret clues to Earths 4.6
  billion-year history, and determine how forces
  change our planet, among many other things.

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The Scope of Earth Science

• 4. Oceanography

• Oceanography is the study of Earths oceans,
  which cover nearly three-fourths of the planet.

• Oceanographers study the creatures that inhabit
  salty water, measure different physical and
  chemical properties of the oceans, and observe
  various processes in these bodies of water.

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Section Assessment

• 1. Match the following terms with their
  definitions.
• ___ geology
• ___ oceanography
• ___ meteorology
• ___ astronomy

C D B A
A. the study of objects beyond Earths
atmosphere B. the study of the air that surrounds
Earth C. the study of the materials that make up
Earth and the processes that form and change
these materials D. the study of Earths oceans
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Earths Systems

• Atmosphere- the region above the crust composed
  of gases extends to the edge of space
• Biosphere- all of the organisms on earth and the
  environment in which they live

• Lithosphere- the outer, solid shell of the earth
  a.k.a. the crust
• Continental Crust (Granite)
• Oceanic Crust (Basalt)
• Hydrosphere- the liquid portion of the earth
• All the lakes, rivers, oceans, glaciers, moisture
  in the air, etc.

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The Application of Earth Science

• Ecology is the study of the complex relationship
  between organisms and the planet.
• They combined study of the lithosphere, the
  hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere
• Ecosystems are communities of organisms and the
  habitat in which they live.

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Quick Assessment

• Identify whether the following statements are
• true or false.

______The lithosphere is made of only one type of
material. ______You are part of the
biosphere. ______Less than 5 of Earths water is
fresh water. ______The Earths biosphere,
lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are
independent systems.
false true true false
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Models

• A scientific model is an idea, a system, or a
  mathematical expression that is similar to the
  idea being explained.

• While a model might not have all of the
  components of a given idea, it should be a fairly
  accurate representation.
• Models can change when more data is gathered.

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Theories That Go BANG!

• Theory- a hypothesis (or set of hypotheses) that
  provides a general explanation for scientific
  observations that is consistent with proven facts
• Scientific Law- a rule that correctly describes a
  natural phenomena backed by vast amounts of
  information and data
• Scientific evidence is cumulative in its nature
  and progress in it is made by asking meaningful
  questions and conducting careful investigation
  (CSES)

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Section Assessment

• 1. Match the following terms with their
  definitions.
• ___ theory
• ___ model
• ___ law

C A B
A. an idea, a system, or mathematical expression
that is similar to the idea being explained B. a
basic fact that describes the behavior of a
natural phenomenon C. an explanation based on
many observations during repeated experiment