PHS-1010 M. Huff Exam 1 Material (Ch. 1, 21, 22, 23)

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation that can be tested through further investigation.

Observations

The act of gathering information using the senses or scientific instruments.

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment.

Paradigm

A typical example or pattern of something; a model or world view.

Geology

The study of the solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change.

Meteorology

The study of the atmosphere and its phenomena, including weather and climate.

Astronomy

The study of celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.

Oceanography

The study of the physical and biological aspects of the ocean.

Hydrosphere

All the waters on the earth's surface, such as lakes and seas.

Biosphere

The regions of the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth occupied by living organisms.

Atmosphere

The envelope of gases surrounding the earth.

Geosphere

The solid part of the earth consisting of the crust and outer mantle.

Geologic Plate

A massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere.

System

A group of interacting or interdependent entities forming a complex whole.

Open System

A system in which energy and matter can be exchanged with the surroundings.

Closed System

A system in which energy may be exchanged with the surroundings, but matter is not.

The Scientific Method:

1. Observations: Collecting data and noticing patterns.

2. Hypothesis: Formulating a testable explanation.

3. Testing/Experimentation: Conducting trials to prove or disprove the hypothesis.

4. Analysis: Evaluating the results of the tests.

5. Theory/Conclusion: Establishing a conclusion based on the data.

Think “OHTAT”

Hypothesis vs. Theory

A hypothesis is a preliminary, untested explanation, whereas a theory is a widely accepted, extensively tested, and well-supported explanation.

Earth science encompasses…

Astronomy, geology, oceanography, and meteorology, though it covers more of geology than the others

The Earth system consists of four primary spheres:

• Hydrosphere: Water.

• Biosphere: Life.

• Atmosphere: Air.

• Geosphere: Land/Solid Earth.

The Earth System

Earth is considered a system because all its parts (spheres) interact and are interdependent. While it exchanges energy with space, it is largely considered a closed system regarding matter.

Order of the Earth’s Layers:

1. Crust - Smallest by volume; continental (predominantly granite) and oceanic (predominantly basalt)

2. Mantle - Largest by volume

3. Core - Densest layer; composed primarily of irong and nickel

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer, including the crust and uppermost mantle.

Asthenosphere

The soft, weak layer beneath the lithosphere that allows for plate movement.

Ancient astronomy often relied on what type of astronomy?

Geocentric (Earth-centered)

Modern astronomy relies on what type of astronomy?

Heliocentric (Sun-centered)

What are The Seven Wanderers (Planetai): Ancient observers identified seven celestial bodies that moved differently than the stars:

1. Sun

2. Moon

3. Mercury

4. Venus

5. Mars

6. Jupiter

7. Saturn

Think “SMMVMJS”

Aristarchus

Heliocentric: The first Greek to propose a Sun-centered universe.

Ptolemy

Geocentric: Developed the Ptolemaic system to explain retrograde motion.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Heliocentric: Formulated a model of the universe that placed the Sun at the center.

Tycho Brahe

Geocentric: Recorded highly accurate observations of Mars and other celestial bodies.

Johannes Kepler

Heliocentric: Established the three laws of planetary motion.

Galileo Galilei

Heliocentric: Used the telescope to support the heliocentric view (moons of Jupiter, phases of Venus).

Sir Isaac Newton

Heliocentric: Formulated the law of universal gravitation.

Planetary Rotation

The spinning of a planet on its axis—results in day and night

Mean Solar Day

Time from one noon to the next (24 hours).

Sidereal Day

Time for one 360-degree rotation relative to stars (23 hours, 56 minutes).

Revolution

The movement of Earth in its orbit around the Sun. Results in years and seasonal changes

Synodic Month

The cycle of the moon's phases (approx. 29.5 days).

Sidereal Month

The true period of the moon's revolution around Earth (approx. 27.3 days).

Lunar Phases

• Waxing: Increasing illumination.

• Waning: Decreasing illumination.

• Crescent: Less than half illuminated.

• Gibbous: More than half illuminated.

• New/Full Moon: No illumination vs. full illumination.

Different types of currents:

• Currents: Flood current (incoming)

• Ebb current (outgoing)

• Rip current (strong surface current flowing away from shore).

Solar Eclipse

Moon moves between Earth and Sun (New moon phase).

Lunar Eclipse

Earth moves between Sun and Moon (Full moon phase).

Spring Tides: 

Occur during New and Full moons; highest tidal range.

Neap Tides

Occur during first and third quarter moons; lowest tidal range.

Universe: 

The totality of all space, time, matter, and energy.

Galaxy: 

A massive system of stars, gas, and dust (ours is the Milky Way).

Solar System

The Sun and the objects that orbit it.

Orbital plane

The flat, two-dimensional geometric surface in which an orbiting body, such as a planet, moon, or satellite, revolves around a larger central mass under the influence of gravity.

What are the Terrestrial planets?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

Think MVEM

What are the Jovian planets?

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Uranus

• Neptune

Think JSUN

Planetary Order

• Mercury

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Uranus

• Neptune

Think MVEMJSUN

Moon features:

• Maria (dark basaltic plains)

• Highlands (bright, rugged areas)

• Craters

• Lunar Regolith (soil-like layer)

Mercury:

• Smallest planet/mass/diameter

• Closest to sun

• Very dense

• No atmosphere—highly cratered

• Lowest gravity

• No moons

• Fastest revolution

Venus

• Similar to Earth in size

• Extremely thick CO2 atmosphere and high temperatures—hottest planet in solar system

• Slowest rotating planet

• Rotates bakcwards

• Has no moons due to proximity of the sun

Mars

Features Olympus Mons (largest volcano) and Valles Marineras (massive canyon). Moons: Phobos and Deimos

• Called “Red Planet”

• Very thin atmosphere

• Highly cratered

Jupiter

• Largest planet w/ greatest diameter and mass

• Features the Great Red Spot

• Strongest magnetic field due to greatest mass

• Unique ring system

• Fastest spinning

• Moons: Callisto, Europa, Ganymede (largest moon), Io (Galilean moons).

Saturn

• Extensive ring system. Moon: Titan

• Has most moons

• Least dense planet

Uranus

• Tilted on its side.

• Moon: Titania

• Largest rotation of any Jovian planet

Neptune

• Dynamic atmosphere.

• Has a dark spot

• Densest Jovian planet

• Windiest of all planets

• Coldest planet on average

• Farthest from sun

• Longest revolution of all planets

• Moon: Triton

Pluto

Classified as a dwarf planet/planetoid. Its moon is Charon. It is not a planet because it has not cleared its orbital path

Asteroids

Rocky bodies mostly found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter

Comets

"Dirty snowballs" of ice and dust; features a Coma (glowing head)

Meteoroids

Small solid particles in space

Meteors

Enter atmosphere and burn up (shooting stars).

Meteorites

Survive the atmosphere and strike Earth's surface

Sun Core:

The site of nuclear fusion; the sun’s nuclear fusion occurs through a proton-proton reaction

Photosphere

The visible surface; features granules and sunspots (dark, cooler regions).

Chromosphere

The first layer of the solar atmosphere; features spicules (flamelike spikes of gas).

Sun Corona

The outermost atmospheric layer; visible during a total solar eclipse

Solar Wind

A stream of charged particles emitted from the corona (Heliosphere).

Plages

Bright, hot regions in the chromosphere

Prominences

Huge cloudlike structures of chromospheric gases

Solar Flares

Brief, explosive outbursts that release massive amounts of energy from the sun

Auroras

Created when solar particles interact with Earth's magnetic field

Aurora Borealis

Northern Lights

Aurora Australis

Southern Lights

Scripture for Ch. 23 (Sun)

Psalm 19:6

“The sun rises at one end of the sky and follows its path to the other end. Nothing hides from it heat.”

Scripture for Ch. 22 (Sun and Moon)

1 Corinthians 15:41

“The sun has one kind of beauty, the moon has another beauty, and the stars have another, And each star is different in its beauty.”

Scripture for Ch. 21 (Earth Cycles and Moon Cycles)

Genesis 1:14-19

“Then God said, “Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night.  These lights will be used for signs, seasons, days, and years.  They will be in the sky to give light to the earth.” And it happened.  So God made the two large lights.  He made th brighter light to rule the day and made the smaller light to rule the night.  He also made the stars.  God put all these in the sky to shine on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness.  God saw that all these things were good.  Evening passed, and morning came.  This was the fourth day.”

Scripture for Ch. 1 (Earth Sciences)

Genesis 1:6-11

“Then God said, “Let there be something to divide the water in two.” So God made the air and placed some of the water above the air and some below it.  God named the air “sky”.  Evening passed, and morning came. This was the second day.  Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered together so the dry land will appear.”  And it happened.  God named the dry land “earth” and the water that was gathered together “seas”.  God saw that this was good.  Then God said, “Let the earth produce plants – some to make grain for seeds and others to make fruits with seeds in them.  Every seed will produce more of its own kind of plant.”  And it happened.”

Earth

• Densest of all planets

• Only planet with liquid water

• If has life