Causes of Plate Movement -Remember that the lithosphere (crust + upper mantle) is solid and is floating on the asthenosphere (melted rock in the mantle below the lithosphere). 1. Heat from the Earth’s core is transferred throughout the mantle. 2. Magma that is hotter and less dense rises upward at a mid-ocean ridge. 3. Once…
The lithosphere is broken into rigid plates that move in relationship to one another on the asthenosphere. Plate Tectonics: a theory that describes the formation, movements, and interactions of these plates. Continental Drift: an early hypothesis about plate movement that says the continents drifted from one location to another over time. -Proposed in 1912 by…
We depend on a variety of energy resources, both renewable (R) and nonrenewable (NR), to meet our energy needs. Most used energy sources in the world: oil: NR; 50-year life expectancy natural gas: NR; 125-year life expectancy coal: NR; 200-300 year life expectancy water power: R; uranium (nuclear power): NR; ?? *The top 3 energy…
Earth has renewable and nonrenewable resources. Our demand for and use of resources sometimes exceeds the supply that is available. Renewable resource: one that can be replaced in nature at the same rate in which we use it Nonrenewable resource: one that exists in a fixed amount, or is used up faster than it can…
Why Study Rocks? -Many, many uses! – writing tools (chalk, pencils), building materials (marble, concrete), fuels (coal), scouring powder (pumice, sand), weapons (flint, obsidian) Rock: a group of minerals bound together – Found in the Earth’s crust and mantle The Rock Cycle: the continuous process of rock formation and change – Presents a “map” of the…
Topographic maps are made specifically to show elevation. They show elevation through the use of contour lines. *The mountain below has 1 peak! 4000m What is the lowest elevation of this mountain? 1000 m PLEASE NOTE: Not every elevation can be represented by a contour line. Index contours: bold contour (lines used to calculate the…
*In order to be able to learn more about Earth as a whole, we must be able to look at it as a whole, and be able to see and find areas of particular interest. *A map is a flat, 2-dimensional representation of Earth’s surface. –cartographer: mapmaker –projections: the different ways in which maps can…
In order to create and perform scientific experiments, you must first become aware of the parts that are involved in designing an appropriate experiment, as well as the vocabulary that is associated with each part. Vocabulary associated with scientific experiments: –variable: any part of an experiment that can vary –control: any part of the experiment…
*Billions of galaxies make up the universe, which, according to the big bang model, formed between 10 & 20 billion years ago. After today’s lecture, you should be able to: -Tell what a galaxy is and describe the various types of galaxies. -Explain the origin of the universe according to the big bang model. A)…
*Astronomers analyze light from objects in space in order to learn about the composition and movement of the objects. After today’s lecture, you should be able to: – Describe the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation. – Explain ways of analyzing light in order to get information about stars. – Explain the Doppler Effect and how it…
A great cloud of gas and dust (called a nebula) begins to collapse and spin Nebula begins to flatten into a spinning pancake shape with a bulge at the center This is due to forces of gravity and rotation Further collapse causes certain regions to condense into the sun, planets, and moons In the center…
*The sun affects our lives in more ways than we can imagine (even though it is about 150 million km away!): produces heat, light, energy for photosynthesis, food, wind, ocean currents, tides, radiation, weather, etc. After today’s lecture, you should be able to: -Explain the structure of the sun and its energy source. -Describe the…
*The moon travels in a regular and predictable motion. After today’s lecture, you should be able to: -Describe the motions of the moon. -Explain the reason the moon goes through phases. -Analyze how the Earth-moon-sun geometry causes lunar and solar eclipses. *Like the sun, the moon rises in the east and sets in the west,…
*Earth’s nearest neighbor in the universe is the moon! After today’s lecture, you should be able to: Explain various hypotheses about how the moon formed. Describe features and properties of the moon. Astronomy: the study of the universe The 1st probes landed on the moon in 1959. The 1st people landed on the moon in…
The water in the ocean is constantly on the move. These movements, called ocean currents, usually involve large water masses and may flow at the surface or far below it. Ocean Current: any continuous flow of water along a broad path in the ocean Surface Current: an ocean current that generally flows in the upper…
Oceans cover most (~70%) of Earth’s surface, thus, Earth is sometimes called the ‘water planet’. Oceans affect all our lives by providing food, allowing transport of goods, and affecting weather and climate. Oceanography: the scientific study of the ocean and seas Properties of Water *Water is an extremely unique compound! -Solid water (ice) is actually…
Wind: the horizontal movement of air –Useful in many ways: 1. moderates surface temperatures 2. distributes moisture 3. cleanses the atmosphere -Wind is constantly blowing across Earth’s surface! –What sets the air into motion? *Differences in air pressure! -Air wants to flow from an area of high-pressure to an area of low-pressure. *For example: When…
Air Pressure: the force of air molecules exerted on a given area; the weight of the atmosphere as it pushes down upon Earth’s surface -Exerted in all directions because air molecules move in all directions. –Why aren’t we crushed by its weight? Because as the air is pushing in all around us, there are forces…
*Water is the ONLY substance on Earth to commonly exist in all 3 states of matter! 1. solid– ↓ 0°C; ice, snow, hail, frost 2. liquid– 0°→100°C; rain, cloud droplets, dew 3. gas– ↑ 100°C; water vapor (The bubbles in boiling water!) *You can feel water vapor as humidity in the air! The more humid…
Organisms and Their Environment What is Ecology? –Ecology: The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environments *Ecology reveals relationships among living and nonliving parts of the world! Ex- what a coyote eats; -how day length influences the behavior of migrating birds; -how shrimp help rid ocean fishes of parasites; -how acid rain threatens…