Earth ScienceSec. 1.1

Introduction to Earth Science

and Systems

Questions Earth Scientists Try to Answer? • Will Mt.St. Helen erupt soon?

– vulcanologists

• How can we better forecast hurricanes?– meteorologists

• Will a meteor hit the earth?– astronomers

• When will be the next big earthquake?– seismologists

• Are the melting ice caps affecting the ocean currents?– oceanographers

• Can an oil well be located at this site?– Petroleum geologists

What exactly is Earth Science?

• All sciences that together seek to understand Earth and its neighbors in Space.– Including

• Geology• Oceanography• Meteorology• Astronomy

Today’s Essential Question:

Earth Science

• Study of ALL the different disciplines put together

• Everything is connected, interdependence

• 20th century concept –due to technology such as satellites and computers that can “put it all together”

System

Geology

• Means “study of Earth”• 2 Types

1. Physical• Examines materials composing the earth• Process that operate beneath and upon its

surfaces

2. Historical• Understand the origin and development of

the earth

Oceanography

• Integrates Chemistry, physics, geology and Biology

• Studies:– Composition and movements of seawater– Coastal processes– Seafloor Topography– Marine Life

• NOT the study of meteors!• Study of:

• Layers of the atmosphere–Processes that produce

weather and climate

Meteorology

Astronomy

• Not about your horoscope!• Study of the universe: everything that exists!• Totality of all space, matter, time and energy

• Observable universe refers to everything we can “see”• What we can “see” is limited by age of the universe and

the speed of light.

The Earth works as a “System”

• Definition of system:

–Any group of interacting parts that form a complex whole unit

• With all these new tools and ‘real time’ information, scientists can make complex MODELS of how the earth’s systems work and change.

• MODEL: representation of an object or a process.

2 Types of Systems:page 5-6

Closed system Open System

Closed system• Self contained. MATTER stays in.• Energy (heat) moves freely in and out• Example: engine cooling system

Open System• BOTH Matter and energy move in and out

freely• More complicated• Very common in nature• Example: river

Open or closed system?

Earth: open or closed system?Despite losing stray H atoms from our atmosphere out into space or a stray meteorite coming in, Earth is essentially a

CLOSED planet.

Solar energy moves freely in and out, But…Earth’s mass remains unchanged.Earth’s resources are finite (all we have)

Positive and Negative Feedback Mechanisms

• Natural or man-made process that are either… NEGATIVE feedback POSITIVE feedback

resist change in a system

and maintains or stabilizes itCauses, enhances, drives change in a system

Positive/negative feedback loop

• Combustion (cars) increases global warming• Warming causes glaciers melt, more land exposed• Brown and green land absorbs heat energy• Causes more water evaporates from land• More cloud cover and less sunny days• White cloud tops reflect sun back into space• Less heat energy reaches Earth and temperatures

decrease causing more snow.

What we know so far….

• Earth is a ________system because matter cannot freely flow in and out yet _________ can.

• The Earth Science studies 4 areas:

________ __________ __________ ________• Interacting parts that function as a unit is a

_______________• _________ are used to represent an object or

show processes.

Earth is part of a LARGER systemof interacting parts

Solar System model activity