Earth Science ReviewEarth Science Review

A student wants to know if plants can be grown without A student wants to know if plants can be grown without soil. The student removes a healthy plant from a pot soil. The student removes a healthy plant from a pot of soil, and places the plant in a bowl of water. The of soil, and places the plant in a bowl of water. The plant dies after several days. What is the most likely plant dies after several days. What is the most likely reason the plant could not live in the water?reason the plant could not live in the water?a.a.The clear water let the sun burn the roots of the The clear water let the sun burn the roots of the plant.plant.b.b.It was a bad plant to begin with.It was a bad plant to begin with.c.c.The sunlight caused the water to change.The sunlight caused the water to change.d.d.Soil contains nutrients that are not found in water.Soil contains nutrients that are not found in water.

Earth Science ReviewEarth Science Review

Which of the following is best classified as a non-Which of the following is best classified as a non-renewable resource?renewable resource?a.a.CoalCoalb.b.GrassGrassc.c.OxygenOxygend.d.SunSun

Earth Science ReviewEarth Science Review

Humans depend on which natural resource from the Humans depend on which natural resource from the environment?environment?a.a.ElectricityElectricityb.b.HousesHousesc.c.WaterWaterd.d.RoadsRoads

What Causes What Causes the Seasons?the Seasons?

We know that the reason we have day and night is because the Earth rotates.

Rotate means

to turn.

The Earth rotating on its ______gives us day and night.

axis

Earth’s axis isthe imaginary line that goes through the center of the Earth.

But guess what! Rotating isn’t the only way the Earth moves in space!

The Earth also revolves.

Revolve – When one object moves around another object

It takes the Earth one year, or 365 ¼ days to orbit the sun.

Does anyone know what orbit means?

Orbit - The path that an object follows as it revolves around another object.

How long does one revolution take?

But why do we have four seasons?

It’s because the Earth’s axis is tilted.

Take a good look at our globe. It‘s not tilted like that because it looks nice. No way. That’s the way the Earth is tilted in space.

That tilt gives us seasons!

Look at this diagram. Notice how the Earth is always tilted in the same direction. As the Earth ________ the part of Earth tilted toward the sun changes.

revolves

http://science.discovery.com/videos/wonders-of-the-solar-system-earth-in-fast-forward.html

During part of the year the North Pole tilts towards the sun. This season is _______.summer

During another part of the year, the North Pole points away from the sun. This season is ______.winter

Let’s Start with some Let’s Start with some ObservationsObservations

Using free downloaded computer program, Using free downloaded computer program, StellariumStellarium: : http://www.stellarium.org/ Stellarium is planetarium software that shows exactly what you Stellarium is planetarium software that shows exactly what you

see when you look up at the stars. It's easy to see when you look up at the stars. It's easy to useuse, and free., and free.

Let’s look at sunrise & sunset, and Sun’s Let’s look at sunrise & sunset, and Sun’s height in the sky.height in the sky.

When the North Pole is tilted toward the Sun, the Sun travels higher overhead in the sky. The Sun’s rays shine straighter down on that part of the Earth. It is summer in that part of the Earth.

It’s like pointing a flashlight at a piece of paper. When you hold the flashlight straight above the paper, the rays from the flashlight shine down straighter.

When the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, the Sun stays lower in the sky. It is then winter in that part of the Earth.

If you point your flashlight at a piece of paper at an angle, the rays from the flashlight spread out.

You Tube VideoYou Tube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuiQvPLWziQ

Seasons PamphletSeasons Pamphlet

““What Causes Seasons” InquiryWhat Causes Seasons” InquiryMaterials NeededMaterials Needed

A B

Chart for JournalChart for Journal

Direct BeamDirect Beam Area A=Area A=___square units___square units

Angled BeamAngled Beam Area B=Area B=___square units___square units

Seasons Lab Journal PageSeasons Lab Journal Page

Procedure for Chart AProcedure for Chart A Label one piece of graph Label one piece of graph

paper A.paper A. Measure and hold the Measure and hold the

flashlight 4 cm directly flashlight 4 cm directly above graph paper A. above graph paper A.

Shine a direct beam and Shine a direct beam and use a map color to outline use a map color to outline the brightest area the brightest area covered by the beam.covered by the beam.

Count the area and label Count the area and label your chart for square your chart for square units.units.

A

Procedure for Chart BProcedure for Chart B Place the flashlight Place the flashlight

directly on graph paper B directly on graph paper B and raise one edge of the and raise one edge of the flashlight lens 4 cm off the flashlight lens 4 cm off the paper. paper.

The flashlight beam The flashlight beam should shine on the should shine on the paper. paper.

Use a map color to outline Use a map color to outline the brightest area covered the brightest area covered by the beam.by the beam.

Count the area and label Count the area and label your chart.your chart.

B

ApplicationApplicationHow does this relate to how the Earth’s Seasons are How does this relate to how the Earth’s Seasons are

developed?developed? How could this difference affect the weather? (areas where How could this difference affect the weather? (areas where

the sunlight is direct would be heated more than areas the sunlight is direct would be heated more than areas where the sunlight is angled)where the sunlight is angled)

How does this relate to the latitude where you live? (areas How does this relate to the latitude where you live? (areas near the equator get direct sunlight all year while areas at near the equator get direct sunlight all year while areas at the poles get angled sunlight all year)the poles get angled sunlight all year)

How does this relate to the sun’s position in the sky from How does this relate to the sun’s position in the sky from sun up to sun down? (we received angled light in early sun up to sun down? (we received angled light in early morning and late afternoon and therefore are not heated as morning and late afternoon and therefore are not heated as much during these times of day as when the Sun is directly much during these times of day as when the Sun is directly overhead)overhead)