Grade 8 Science – Unit 1: Water Systems on Earth Student Outline
Chp 1: Water Cycle
Name: _______________________
1. Introduction
a. Describe major interactions between among the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere. (9)
b. Compare the roles of the Hydrologist and Oceanographer. (9, 20)
2. Sources of Water – Fresh and Ocean
a. Distinguish between ocean water and fresh water. (salinity, density and freezing point) (14-17)
i. Core Lab – Salinity’s Effect on Water Density (18-19)
b. Identify sources of fresh water. (drainage basins, groundwater, glaciers) (22-27)
c. Describe the origin of the oceans. (38-41)
3. Water Cycle’s Vital Role
a. Define water cycle. (9, glossary)
b. Sketch and label a diagram of the water cycle. (9)
4. Climate Change and the Water Cycle
a. Describe how long periods of global warming affect glaciers and describe the consequent effects on
the environment. (24-25)
b. Identify when the last ice age began and ended and what parts of North America were covered in
ice. (25)
c. Apply the concept of systems to show how a change in one component of a body of water causes
change in other components in that system.
d. Provide examples of problems related to the oceans that cannot be completely resolved using
scientific and technological knowledge. (Seal Hunt, Cod Moratorium, Regional Food Fishery, Oil and
Gas Exploration).
Terms to Know:
Hydrosphere
Salinity
Glacier
Cod Moratorium
Runoff
Lithosphere
Density
Water Cycle
Food Fishery
Cryosphere
Atmosphere
Freezing Point
Global Warming
Oil and Gas Exploration
Precipitation
Hydrologist
Drainage basin
Ice Age
Dissolve
Gravity
Oceanographer
Groundwater
Seal Hunt
Sodium Chloride
Chp 1 Quiz – Mid October
Excellence – Through Growing in a Caring Environment
1
Grade 8 Science – Unit 1: Water Systems on Earth Student Outline
Chp 2: Oceans
Name: _______________________
5. Ocean Basins
a. Describe processes that led to the development of ocean basins and continental drainage systems.
(Volcanic action, plate tectonics, erosion and glaciation) (38-41)
b. Illustrate a typical continental margin from coastal shoreline to mid-ocean ridge. (Continental shelf,
continental slope, abyssal plain and mid-ocean ridge) (41-44)
c. Investigate technologies that assist scientists in research of ocean basins. (SONAR, wire line depth
probes, satellites, core sampling, underwater photos/video, deep sea submersibles and diving) (4447)
i. Core STSE – Undersea Adventure
6. Ocean Currents
a. Define ocean current. Ex: Labrador Current and Gulf Stream. (52)
b. Identify and explain surface currents. (wind, earth’s rotation – coriolis effect, continental shape)
(54-56)
c. Identify and explain deep water currents. (Temperature and salinity) (56-57)
7. Ocean
a.
b.
c.
Waves
Define Wave. (Glossary)
Identify features of waves (wavelength, wave height, crest, and trough). (64-65)
Distinguish between ocean waves, swells, breakers and tsunamis. (64-66)
8. Ocean Tides
a. Define tide, explain and illustrate how the tides are generated by the gravitational pull of the Sun
and Moon. (69-71)
b. Define tidal range and distinguish between spring tides and neap tides. (69)
9. Shorelines
a. Describe the processes that form shorelines. (shape, slope, type of rock, wave energy) (66-69)
b. Define headlands and bays with how they are affected by waves and tides. (67-69)
c. Describe the results of erosion and deposition from wave action and tides. (Beaches, shoal, sand bar,
sea caves, sea arches and sea stacks.) (66-69)
d. Provide examples of various technologies designed to contain damage due to waves and tides.
(breakwaters, jetties/wharves and vegetation) (NIT)
Terms to Know:
Ocean Basin
Drainage System
Volcanic Action
Plate Tectonics
Erosion
Glaciation
Continental Margin
Continental Shelf
Continental Slope
Abyssal Plain
Mid Ocean Ridge
SONAR
Depth Probe
Satellite Imaging
Core Sampling
Submersible
Ocean Current
Labrador Current
Gulf Stream
Surface Currents
Coriolis Effect
Deep Currents
Wave
Wavelength
Wave Height
Crest
Trough
Swell
Breaker
Tsunami
Tide
Tidal Range
Spring Tide
Neap Tide
Shoreline
Wave Energy
Headlands
Bays
Erosion
Deposition
Beach
Shoal
Sand Bar
Sea Cave
Sea Arch
Sea Stack
Breakwater
Jetty
Wharf
Chp 2 Quiz – Late October
Excellence – Through Growing in a Caring Environment
2
Grade 8 Science – Unit 1: Water Systems on Earth Student Outline
Chp 3: Climate and Species Distribution
Name: _______________________
10. Oceans, Weather and Climate
a. Distinguish between weather and climate. (82)
b. Define heat capacity. Note difference between this and Specific Heat Capacity. (83, glossary)
c. Describe how the heat capacity of water affects climate. (83)
d. Describe how convection affects weather. (85)
e. Describe how oceans moderate climate. (frequency of fog, temperature fluctuations) (82)
f. Distinguish between the effects of El Nino and La Nina as global climatic influences. (85-86)
11. Species Distributions (6P)
a. Describe species found in freshwater environments. (Lakes and ponds, wetlands, rivers and streams,
estuaries). (90-93)
b. Describe species found in saltwater environments. (Pelagic zone – top 180m, benthic zone > 180m). (9394)
c. Identify the effects of abiotic factors on plant and animal distributions in freshwater ecosystems.
(temperature, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, pH, turbidity, pollution)
i. Core Lab “Water Health Test Lab A” (108-110) *Field Trip to Fluvarium?
d. Identify the effects of abiotic factors on plant and animal distributions in marine ecosystems.
(upwelling, salinity, ocean currents) (NIT)
e. Describe positive/negative effects of marine technologies on ocean species. (Confederation Bridge, Oil
Exploration, Fishing Technologies such as drag nets, fish finders, factory freezer trawlers, aquaculture)
(104-107)
Terms to Know:
Weather
El Nino
Pelagic Zone
pH
Ocean Currents
Fish Finder
Phytoplankton
Invasive Species
Climate
La Nina
Benthic Zone
Turbidity
Marine Technology
Factory Freezer
Trawler
Zooplankton
Overfishing
Heat Capacity
Species
Abiotic Factors
Pollution
Confederation Bridge
Aquaculture
Convection
Fog
Wetland
Estuary
Dissolved Oxygen
Phosphate
Upwelling
Salinity
Oil Exploration
Drag Net
Bio-Indicator Species Bioluminescence
Plankton
Acid precipitation
Habitat
Biotic Index
Urban Development
Unit Test – Mid November
Excellence – Through Growing in a Caring Environment
3