Introduction to Earth/Environmental Science

What is Earth Science? Earth Science The name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space.

Earth Science Areas of Study Astronomy Study of objects past the atmosphere Ex: Stars, moon, comets B. Meteorology Study of the atmosphere Processes of weather and climate  Ex: clouds, rain, hurricanes C. Geology Study of materials that make-up the Earth Processes that form and change those materials Ex: rocks, minerals, earthquakes, volcanoes D. Oceanography Study of the oceans  Ex: trenches, marine animals

What is Environmental Science? The study of how humans use resources and the affect it has on the Earth

What Environmental Science deals with? Renewable Resources Plants, animals, water, wind Nonrenewable Resources Coal, oil, natural gas Population Growth Environmental Problems Pollution, global warming Natural Hazards Flooding, droughts, earthquakes

Scientific Inquiry Hypothesis Theory Law Stating a possible explanation Educated guess Theory Extensive tested hypothesis and widely accepted by the scientific community Still can be proven wrong Law 99 % true Law of Gravity

The Science and Engineering Practices Asking Questions and Defining Problems Developing and Using Models Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Analyzing and Interpreting Data Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions Engaging in Argument from Evidence Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Measurements Length /Distance How long something is Unit m, km, cm, mm tools to measure length: meter stick or ruler. Temperature How much heat an object has (Molecular motion) C˚, F ˚, K Tools - Thermometer

Mass how much matter is in the object Unit g, kg, mg Tools – balances, triple beam balance, and electronic scale

Volume How much space an object takes up Unit L, mL, cm³, cc(ml) Tools: graduated cylinders and rulers Volume of a regular object (block) L x w x h Volume of Liquids Use graduated cylinders Volume of irregular objects (rock) Water displacement with a graduated cylinder

Measurement Cont. Density Mass per unit volume Unit Formula g/ml or g/cm³ Formula D = m/v Hint: Density of Water = 1 g/mL

Mapping: TWO Main Parts Latitude Distance in degrees North or South of the Equator Circles the globe east to west Longitude Distance East or West of the prime meridian Circles the globe north to south

Major Lines on Earth Prime Meridian Equator 0º Longitude To the right is East Hemisphere To the left is West Hemisphere Passes through Greenwich, England Equator 0º Latitude Halfway between the North and South Pole North of it is the Northern Hemisphere South of it is the Southern Hemisphere

Using Latitude and Longitude