Earth Science-Chap 1, Sect. 1

Section Objectives:

Name the 4 branches of earth science

Discuss the relationship between earth science and ecology

WARM-UP ACTIVITY – 10 Min.

INQUIRY LAB – Page 3 – Blue book CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

How Observant are you?Equipment – magnifying glass, temp. probe, meter

stick

Qualitative vs quantitative observations

Compare with other pairs of students

DE State Science Standards Standard 1: Nature and Application of Science and Technology   Science is a human endeavor involving knowledge learned through

inquiring about the natural world. Scientific claims are evaluated and knowledge changes as a result of using the abilities and understandings of inquiry. The pursuit of scientific knowledge is a continuous process involving diverse people throughout history. The practice of science and the development of technology are

critical pursuits of our society.

DE Science STD 1 - GLEs Strand 1: Understandings and Abilities of

Scientific Inquiry   Enduring Understandings: Scientific inquiry involves

asking scientifically-oriented questions, collecting evidence, forming explanations, connecting explanations to scientific knowledge and theory, and communicating and justifying the explanation.

DE Science STD -1- GLEs 1.1.1. Understand that: Scientists conduct investigations for a variety of reasons including to

explore new phenomena, to replicate other’s results, to test how well a theory predicts, to develop new products, and to compare theories.

  Be able to: Identify and form questions that generate a specific testable hypothesis that guide

the design and breadth of the scientific investigation.   1.1.2. Understand that: Science is distinguished from other ways of knowing

by the use of empirical observations, experimental evidence, logical arguments and healthy skepticism.

  Be able to: Design and conduct valid scientific investigations to control all but

the testable variable in order to test a specific hypothesis.

DE Science STD -1- GLEs

1.1.2. Understand that: Science is distinguished from other ways of knowing by the use of empirical observations, experimental evidence, logical arguments and healthy skepticism.

  Be able to: Design and conduct valid scientific

investigations to control all but the testable variable in order to test a specific hypothesis.

DE Science STD -1- GLEs 1.1.3. Understand that: Theories in science are well-established

explanations of natural phenomena that are supported by many confirmed observations and verified hypotheses. The application of theories allows people to make reasonable predictions. Theories may be amended to become more complete with the introduction of new evidence.

  Be able to: Collect accurate and precise data through the selection and use

of tools and technologies appropriate to the investigations. Display and organize data through the use of tables, diagrams, graphs, and other organizers that allow analysis and comparison with known information and allow for replication of results

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

Has the importance of an Astro-geologists become more important to life on Earth with the recent findings on the Martian surface by rovers Curiosity, Opportunity, and Spirit?

Earth Science – Chap 1 Sect 1

What is Earth Science? Early humans blamed natural events on Gods –

(volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes) When humans began careful observations for natural

causes for natural phenomena, the scientific study of the earth began.

Early Observations Ancient Chinese began keeping written records of

earthquakes as early as 780 B.C. The ancient Greeks compiled a catalog of rocks and

minerals in the 3rd century B.C. The Mayas in Central America kept track of the

movements of the sun, moon, and the planets to create accurate calendars

Definition

Earth Science: study of the earth and of the universe around it.

Based on the assumption that the cause of natural phenomena can be discovered through careful observation and experimentation

Earth Beat – Page 4 22 centuries ago Greek mathematician Erastothenes used

observation and simple geometry to calculate the circumference of the earth.

Used angle of sun’s shadow in a well on June 21 at city and the angle in a well on June first in another cit north of first.

Calculated fraction of shadow angle to full circle of earth (360), multiplied that portion of 360 by distance between the two cities and came up with distance of 46,250 km.

MAYAN INTELLIGENCE

Branches of Earth Science

Fields of specialization in earth science: the solid earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, and the universe beyond earth.

Geology – solid earth Oceanography – the oceans Meteorology – the atmosphere Astronomy – the universe beyond earth

Geology

Definition:the study of the origin, history, and

the structure of the solid earth and processes that shape it.

What is a geologic process? Examples?

TYPES OF GEOLOGISTS Hydrogeology-  The branch of geology that deals with the occurrence,

distribution, and effect of ground water. Geophysics-  The physics of the earth and its environment, including the physics

of the fields such as meteorology, oceanography, and seismology. Geochemistry- The chemistry of the composition and alterations of the solid

matter of the earth or a celestial body.  The study of the chemical composition of, and of actual or possible chemical changes in, the crust of the earth.

Oceanography-  The exploration and scientific study of the ocean and its phenomena.

Paleontology-  The study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms.  Specific study can entail vertebrate paleontology or invertebrate paleontology.

TYPES OF GEOLOGISTS Petrology- The branch of geology that deals with the origin,

composition, structure, and alteration of rocks.  Mainly concerned with the mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks, and with their classification: lithology.

 Petroleum Geology- The branch of economic geology that deals with the occurrence and exploitation of oil and gas fields.

 Sedimentary Geology- The branch of geology relating to rocks formed by the deposition of sediment.

Structural Geology- The branch of geology relating to the structure

Oceanography

The study of earth’s oceans Specialization:

Study of waves, tides, and ocean currentsStudy of ocean floor/mineral deposit explorationStudy of marine animal and plant life

TYPES of OCEANOGRAPHERS Geological Oceanographers Geological oceanographers study the ocean floor, its creation and its composition. Chemical Oceanographers Chemical oceanographers study the chemical makeup of seawater and what it contains Biological Oceanographers Biological oceanographers are often called marine biologists, and they study the animal and plant life of oceans Physical Oceanographers Physical oceanographers study oceans from a physics perspective, focusing on currents, tides, temperatures and other physical attributes of

the ocean

Meteorology

Study of the earth’s atmosphere Using satellites, radar, and modern technology,

meteorologists study the variations in the earth’s atmospheric conditions that produce weather

Types of Meteorologists Forensic Meteorologists: This type of meteorologist will often investigate

claims for insurance companies on past weather or research weather for a court of law.

Consulting Meteorologists: Large companies now hire meteorologists for consultation work. Companies such as Liz Claiborne, M&M Candies, and Target all hire meteorologists to improve their buying and selling power.

Climate Meteorologists: This type of meteorologist looks at long-term weather patterns and data to help predict future climate trends and past climate data.

Archive Meteorologists: Many weather scientists will also be in charge of researching, verifying, and reporting on storms of the past.

Types of Meteorologists Broadcast Meteorologists: These folks are the people who

interpret and report the weather for television. Research Meteorologists: Many of these scientists work for the

National Weather Service or other government agency. NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the military. Most have a particular issue they are studying.

Teachers and Professors: Many people use their knowledge of the atmosphere and meteorology to become educators. Sharing your knowledge at a high school or college level can help to create future generations of meteorologists

Astronomy

The study of the universe beyond the earth One of the oldest branches of earth science Modern astronomers use earth-based and

space-based telescopes, as well as satellites and space probes to study the universe

TYPES of ASTRONOMERS Planetary Astronomers Planetary astronomers study both the planets in our own solar

system and extra-solar planets Radio Astronomers Radio astronomers specialize in the use of radio telescopes. Radio

telescopes are basically huge radio wave receivers that detect naturally occurring radio emissions from stars, galaxies, quasars, and other celestial objects

TYPES of ASTRONOMERS Solar and Stellar Astronomers Solar and stellar astronomers are related, but their jobs are quite different. Solar

astronomers study our sun, and their research focuses on the composition of the sun, sunspots, solar flares, eclipses and other solar phenomena. Stellar astronomers study the suns of other solar systems. One of the main jobs of stellar astronomers is to identify the type and composition of the suns in distant solar systems. Some solar systems even have

more than one sun. Galactic and Extra-Galactic Astronomers Galactic and extra-galactic astronomers study extremely distant objects Cosmologists Cosmologists are theoretical astronomers and their work often overlaps that of

physicists. They are often defined as astronomers who study the evolution of the universe and the nature of space and time

Importance of Earth Science Observations made by earth scientists have

contributed greatly to the knowledge of the world around usStudies done by astronomers has led to theories

about the origins of our solar system and universeGeologists studying rock layers have found clues to

the earth’s past environments and to the evolution of this planet

The study of earth science can help people gain access to earth’s resources and teaches them to use those resources wisely.

Ecology Definition: the study of the complex relationships

between living things and their environment. An area of science where in which biology and earth science are closely related.

Geosphere: solid earth Hydrosphere: liquid earth Atmosphere: gases earth Biosphere: living part of earth

Ecosystems

Definition: A community of organisms and the environment that they inhabit.As large as an ocean or desert or as small as a tide pool

or rotting log Biosphere: encompasses all life on earth and the

physical environment that supports it. Extends 8 kilometers below surface and 8 kilometers above the surface.

Environmental Pollution Definition: the contamination of the environment

with waste products or impurities. 2 major types:

Biodegradable: able to be broken down by microorganisms into harmless substances that can be used by other organisms – ex: banana peels, egg shells, paper

Non-biodegradable: not able to be broken down in nature – ex: plastic

Protecting the Environment Ecologists and earth scientists (meteorologists,

geologists, oceanographers, paleontologists) often work together to identify and solve some of the world’s pollution problems.Ex: when it was discovered that the ozone layer was

depleting, meteorologists and ecologists worked together identifying the cause and effects. This lead to the banning of CFC’c , chlorofluorocarbons, which was identified as an ozone destroyer.

CLASSWORK - CP

Chapter 1 – Section 1 , 1 - 11

QUIZ – Chapter 1, sect. 1

EXIT TICKET – Chap. 1, section 1

What types of scientists would be required to establish a moon base in the next 10 years?

Explain what these scientists would be responsible for and why.

HOMEWORK- Honors

Chapter 1 review: pages 22-23Questions 10 through 30.

Quiz – Chapter 1, sect. 2