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