Earth Science Notes Packet #1

Unit 1: Introduction to Earth Science 1.1: What is Earth Science? Four Branches of Earth Science: 1. ____________________: the “study of Earth.” a. (Geo-=Earth, -logy=a subject of study) 2. _________________________: the “study of the ocean and its contents/phenomena.” (-graphy=a descriptive science) 3. ____________________: the “study of the atmosphere and climates.” 4. ____________________: the “study of the universe.” DO NOT confuse this with astrology! 2 Types of Geology  ____________________ Geology: Materials and processes of our planet  ____________________ Geology: Understanding the physical and biological changes in Earth’s past ____________________: The study of the relationships between organisms and the environment.

1.2: A View of Earth Earth is composed of 4 major spheres: 1. ____________________: the water portion 2. ____________________: the gaseous portion 3. ____________________: the solid surface (crust, mantle, core) 4. ____________________: ALL life forms on the planet  Largest ecosystem  Ecosystem: ________________________________________________________________________________.

The Metric System: Review  The metric system is also known as the international system of measure (abbreviated as SI, from the French ‘systeme internationale.’).  It is the ONLY measuring system used in the scientific community. Therefore, it is the ONLY system used in this class. Base Units you MUST Know:  Length = ____________________

 Mass = ____________________

 Volume = ____________________

 Weight = ____________________

 Temperature = ________________________________________

 Time = ____________________

Further Information:  Density = mass/volume (g/mL)  Density of water = ____________________  Volume of a solid can be calculated as length x width x height  Units: ____________________ Metric Prefixes  Prefixes are used to distinguish between the size of units (m vs. km or g vs. kg) x1000

x100

x10

Base Unit

/10

/100

/1000

 Most important to us:  Kilo = _______________  Centi = _______________  Milli = _______________

The Scientific Method: An Overview  Also known as the Scientific Process  ________________________________________: An organized, logical approach to scientific research.  NOT a set of sequential steps that scientists follow!  Guide to problem solving General Steps: 1. ________________________________________ Often begins as a result of an observation which leads to questioning. 2. ________________________________________ Often involves taking ______________________________, which are a comparison of something to a standard unit. 3. ________________________________________ Hypothesis: A proposed solution or explanation of the problem. 4. ________________________________________

Must have a great deal of supporting evidence 1. Tested by ______________________________. 2. Scientists test a _________________________. Variable: a factor that can be changed. 3. Involves the use of many ____________________. Control: Factor that remains the same. 4. Analyze the ____________________. 5. State the _________________________. The hypothesis can either be accepted as stated, changed slightly, or thrown out altogether. Two types of Variables: _______________________ Variable: The part of the experiment that is changed by the scientist. _______________________ Variable: The part of the experiment that changes as a result of the change made by the scientist. The dependent variable is often the result of the experiment. Examples in Earth Science:  Nebular HYPOTHESIS:  Idea that our solar system began as an ____________________________________________________________.  Big Bang THEORY:  States that our universe is the result of a ________________________________________which occurred between ________________________________________ years ago.  Our Solar System (in the ________________________________________ Galaxy) is thought to have begun forming 9 billion years ago.  ____________________________________________________________  States that the planet is ____________________ into many major _____________________________________.  Explains how ___________________ and ___________________ occur and how ____________________ move.  ______________________________ forces: Can create or construct new surfaces.  Examples: Mountain building and Lava  ______________________________ forces: Can destroy surfaces.  Example: Weathering and Erosion wear away land.

1.3: Representing Earth’s Surface  A ______________ is a drawing of the Earth (or part of it) on a flat surface.  The most accurate representation of Earth is spherical, called a ____________________.  Maps and globes are drawn to ___________________. This means the distances on the map are accurately compared to actual distances on Earth.  Example: 1 cm on map = 10 km on Earth Globes and Maps  Globes and Maps are marked off by horizontal lines called ______________________________.  ____________________: The parallel located halfway between the North and South poles.  The parallels are used to measure distance ____________________________________________________________.  This measure is known as ____________________.  The equator is _____________ latitude.  The North Pole is _____________ latitude.  The South Pole is _____________ latitude.  Lines that run vertically (north to south) or from the North Pole to the South Pole are called __________________________________.  Meridians are used to measure distance ____________ to ____________.  Geographers have named the meridian that runs through ______________________________the ______________________________.  The Prime Meridian is designated as 0° ______________________________.  ______________________________: The measure east or west of the Prime Meridian.  All other points are measured as degrees east or west longitude.  The numbers go from 0° - 180°. (East AND West: 180°x2 = 360°, a full circle!)  Every ___________ degrees longitude = one ______________________________. (24x15°=360°.)  Each degree of latitude and longitude can be broken down further into smaller units.  Degree  ____________________ ____________________  1 degree = ________ minutes  1 minute = ________ seconds Maps and Mapping  No matter which type of map is made, some portion will always be distorted. Cartographers work to minimize the effects of these distortions.

Topographic Maps  ______________________________: Surface features of an area.  ________________________________________: Show the surface features of an area in detail (examples: mountains, hills, plains, rivers, etc.)  These maps all have ____________________that give a fixed ratio between a unit of measure on the map and the distance it represents on the surface. (Ex.: 1 cm on map = 80,000 cm on land)  Colors on topographic maps:  Blue: ____________________________________________________________  Green: ________________________________________  Red: __________________________________________________  There are many symbols used on the map. These are explained in the ____________________.   The most important feature on a topographic map is that it shows the ____________________of an area.  Elevation: ____________________________________________________________.  Sea level is zero elevation.  Elevation is shown by ________________________________________. These are lines drawn on a map to connect all points of the same elevation.  Each map will specify the distance of vertical change between contour lines. This is the ________________________________________.  ____________________ describes how much variation in elevation an area has.  Examples:  An area of high relief = ___________________________________.  An area of low relief = ____________________________________.  Relief is a numeric value that is the difference in highest and lowest elevation.  ____________________: Line used to show depressions on a topographic map.  Drawn at a right angle to contour line and points toward the lower elevation.   ________________________________________: Gives us the ability to measure and analyze the physical properties of Earth with much greater precision.  Examples: _______________ and ________________________________________.