Introduction to Earth Science
There are _____ major areas in Earth
Science. __________ is the study of
space. ____________ is the study of the
Earth’s atmosphere. ______________ is
the study of the Earth’s oceans. The study
of Earth’s surface, materials, and
processes is ________.
Astronomy
In astronomy we will
study such topics as
the sun and other
stars, planets and
other objects in our
solar system, lunar
phases, tides, and
eclipses.
Meteorology
Here we will take a
look at cloud and
precipitation types,
storms such as
hurricanes and
tornadoes, and fronts,
pressure systems,
and weather maps.
Oceanography
We will explore our
four major oceans,
the properties of
seawater, ocean floor
and coastline
features, ocean
sediments, and major
ocean currents.
Geology
Here we tackle a
variety of topics
including minerals
and rocks, volcanoes,
earthquakes, faults
and folds, soils,
erosion, mountains,
plate tectonics, and
geologic history.
Earth Systems
Although we study four branches of earth
science, there are many interactions between
earth’s systems. You are standing on the
______sphere. You are breathing in part of the
______sphere. If you went to the beach or
canoed down the James you where visiting the
______sphere. And you and all the other living
things on earth make up the _____sphere.
Scientific Method
When solving problems scientifically we follow a series of steps to
avoid wasting time, effort, and resources. These steps include:
1. Defining the ________ (may include research or observation)
2. Stating a ____________ (explanation of observation; must be
able to be tested)
3. _________ the hypothesis (involves measurement of one
variable at a time)
4. Analyzing the _________ (data organized in graphs, tables,
and charts)
5. Drawing _____________ (returning to step #2 as needed)
***This is not a rigid, step-by-step outline.***
Additional Chapter 1 Vocabulary
________- the standard for comparison in an experiment
_______- all the variables we are not testing and trying to keep the
same
___________________- factor in an experiment that may change if
the independent variable changes
_____________________- factor that the experimenter changes
______________- also known as SI units; uses a decimal base 10
system; such units as liters, meters, and grams.
____________________- shorthand where a number is expressed
as a multiplier and a power of 10
_______- explanation that is consistent with repeated observations,
can be tested and make predictions, and is as simple as possible
____- basic fact describing behavior of a natural phenomenon