FCAT Review Week 1

Earth Science

**Covers NGSSS Big Idea’s 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13

Big Idea 6 Learning Goals: Students will be able to Differentiate between physical and chemical weatheringDifferentiate between weathering, erosion, and depositionExplain the composition of the layers of the EarthExplain how the changes in rocks within the rock cycle

relates to weathering, erosion, and deposition.Explain how we use the law of superposition and radioactive

dating to date fossils. Explain how the theory of plate tectonics is used to describe

how the Earth’s surface is built up and torn down. Explain how the convecting mantle causes earthquakes,

volcanic eruptions, and creates mountains and ocean basins.

Day 1: Earth’s Structures and Patterns

Bellwork – Day 1: Differentiate between physical and chemical weathering

Physical vs. Chemical Weathering

Types of weathering

Explanation of type

Agents for weathering

Physical The breaking down of rock into smaller pieces by physical means

Ice, Wind, Water, Gravity, Plants, Animals

Chemical process of breaking down rock as a result of chemical reactions

Water- important because most substances dissolve in water, Acids found in: Acid Precipitation, Acids in groundwater, Acids in living things, the measure of acidity is called pH. An acid has a pH less than 7

Weathering is the breaking down of rocks and other materials on the earth’s surface. There are 2 types of weathering: Physical and Chemical (bellwork)

Erosion is the movement of weathered material from one place to another. Erosion occurs faster on barren land than on land covered with vegetation. (plant roots hold soil in place)

Deposition is when soil, rocks, or other sediment are deposited, or left, somewhere different than where they started. Deposition occurs as the agents of deposition slow down and lose energy

Differentiate between weathering, erosion, and deposition

The Earth has 3 main layers: the crust, mantle and the core

Crust: the brittle, rocky outer layer of Earth. Very thin compared to other layers, like the shell of an egg. Two types: Oceanic Crust – crust under the oceans and Continental Crust – crust on land (thicker

Mantle: thick middle layer in the solid part of the Earth Uppermost Mantle (Lithosphere) similar rocks to that of the crust;

Asthenosphere - heated rocks begin to melt and flow slowly underneath the lithosphere. Upper Mantle - higher temperatures and high pressure cause rocks to stop melting and become solid again

Lower Mantle - most dense part of the mantle

Core: dense and metallic center of the Earth, 2 parts – Solid inner core and liquid outer core composed mainly of iron and a small amount of nickel

 

Explain the composition of the layers of the Earth.

Sedimentary rock: Rocks found close to the surface, less dense, formed from weathering, erosion, and deposition.

Metamorphic rock: Rocks found deeper down and formed where pressure and heat are high. . . . like where tectonic

plates collides.

Igneous Rock: Igneous rocks form when molten rock cools and becomes solid.

ALL TYPES OF ROCKS CAN EVENTUALLY BE BROKEN BACK DOWN AND TRANSFORMED INTO ONE OF THE OTHER TYPES.

Explain how the changes in rocks within the rock cycle relates to weathering, erosion, and deposition

Explain how we use the law of superposition and radioactive dating to date fossils. The Law of Superposition –

says that the youngest rocks are on the top and the oldest rocks are on the bottom.

Radioactive dating of fossils: Carbon is one of the basic elements of life. Carbon atoms decay at a constant rate, so scientists use the decay of carbon in life forms to date when these fossils lived.

The theory of Plate Tectonics is based on Wegeners theory of Continental Drift which stated that the continents were once all connected (Pangea). The movement of the tectonic plates caused the continents to separate and move apart. The evidence of what happens at plate boundaries and the formation of new crust helps support this theory. Fossil evidence where organisms of the same species were found on different continents also help support it.

Explain how the theory of plate tectonics is used to describe how the Earth’s surface is built up and torn down.

Explain how the convecting mantle causes earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and creates mountains and ocean basins.

The earth’s mantle is where convection currents happen that provide the energy for tectonic plates to move.

Types of BoundariesConvergent

boundary: two plates move towards each other – This can cause subduction where one plate slides underneath

another (subduction) and is destroyed or it can slowly form a mountain.

Types of BoundariesDivergent boundary:

where two plates move away from each other resulting in new crust (ocean basins) being formed.

Transform boundary: where two plates slide alongside each other - although crust is neither created or destroyed here, they can get caught and cause earthquakes

Big Idea 7 Learning Goals: Students will be able to

Differentiate between radiation, conduction, and convection.

Explain how the water cycle affects weather patterns and climate.

Explain how the jet stream and ocean currents affect local weather.

Explain the interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere

How does the Sun’s energy influence weather and climate?

Differentiate between weather and climate. Describe how the composition and structure of the

atmosphere protects life and insulates the planet.

Day 2: Earth’s Atmosphere and Weather

Differentiate between radiation, conduction, and convection

Conduction: heat transfer through direct contact

Convection: heat transfer from a gas to a gas or a gas to a liquid

Radiation: heat transfer through electromagnetic radiation

The water cycle plays a key role in weather patterns and local climate.

For example: Cities near the ocean will have higher humidity levels and higher chances of rain because of this.

Locations farther from where evaporation happens will have drier climates.

Explain how the water cycle affects weather patterns and climate.

Explain how the jet stream and ocean currents affect local weather.

A jet stream forms high in the upper troposphere between two air masses of very different temperature. The greater the temperature difference between the air masses, the faster the wind blows in the jet stream.

Varying ocean temperatures affect local atmospheric pressure, which creates regional wind patterns that, in turn, drive oceanic currents that affect surface ocean temperatures.

Explain how the jet stream and ocean currents affect local weather.

Explain the interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

Atmosphere: Earth’s air

Geosphere: Earth’s nonliving structures

Biosphere: Earth’s living organisms

Hydrosphere: Earth’s waters

Cryosphere: Earth’s ice massesPlus the Cyosphere which includes all

the water in solid form (ice).

How are Earth’s sphere’s connected?

Even a small change in one system can change one or more of the other systems.

How does the Sun’s energy influence weather and climate?

The Earth ‘s spherical shape causes it to be heated unevenly.

The equator region receives more direct sunlight (thermal energy)

The warmer air at the equator caused by more direct sunlight causes convection currents to form in Earth’s atmosphere.

These currents are what drive weather patterns.

How does the Sun’s energy influence weather and climate?

Weather is the daily atmospheric conditions in an area.

Climate is the average weather conditions in an area over a longer period of time.

Differentiate between weather and climate.

Describe how the composition and structure of the atmosphere protects life and insulates the planet.

Our atmosphere does three main things:helps reflect some of

the radiation from the Sun

holds heat in so that the temperature can sustain life

Holds in the gases needed for life; CO2, O2, and N