1. Inside the Earth – Third Rock from the Sun The Earth is not a solid rock, but instead consists of layers Inner Core – solid iron and nickel Outer Core – liquid iron and nickel (contains the basis for our magnetic field – that protects us from most forms of solar radiation) Mantle – semisoft melted rock Crust – thin cooled skin that “floats” on the mantle – contains cracks and moves Movement of the crust causes earthquakes and volcanoes
2. Plate Tectonics The Earth’s crust is broken into plates The plates move along the flowing mantle in different directions Pressure between the plates builds up until it is released by an earthquake Ring of Fire – hundreds of volcanoes around the Pacific Rim where the Pacific plate interacts with other plates
3. Air and Water – Necessary for Life on Earth Air Contained with the Earth’s atmosphere – a layer of gasses that surround the planet Actually composed of many different types of gasses Nitrogen – about 78% (essential for development of proteins) Oxygen – about 21% (essential for respiration) Others – about 1% combined Water 97% of the water on Earth is found in the Ocean – it’s salty Only 3% of the water on Earth is fresh Mostly found in the polar caps and glaciers (huge ice sheets found on mountains, Antarctica and Greenland) Great deal is underground – sometimes miles deep Very little (0.3%) is at the surface (mostly lakes) and therefore useable by living organisms – very important to conserve and keep clean what we have
6. Wind and Water help keep the earth from overheating Wind Hot air rises – so air in the tropics rises and is carried towards the polar regions Cold air in the polar regions sinks to the surface and flows towards the tropics Cold air – can not hold much water vapor Warm air – can hold more water vapor Wind happens when the air flows from the areas where it’s sinking to areas where it’s rising The Earth’s rotation helps drive wind direction Water Warm water is lighter than cold, dense water Water in tropical regions flows slowly towards the polar regions Cold water in the polar regions sinks to the bottom of the ocean and flows south towards the tropical regions, where the cycle begins all over
7. Chapter 2.2Natural Resources Natural resources are anything from the Earth that people use in meeting their needs for Food Clothing Shelter Examples;
8. Chapter 2.2Types of Natural Resources (raw material) Recyclable Resources Recycle naturally through the earth itself Water, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen Can refer to items that can be reused without replacing the resource Aluminum Plastic Paper Renewable Resources Resources that can be replaced by man Wood – trees can be replanted Biodiesel and ethanol – crops can be replanted Nonrenewable Resources Can not be replaced Important to conserve and use wisely -- they’re no longer being created Oil, natural gas, coal, minerals
9. Energy Resources Energy is needed for every living thing Fossil Fuels Include coal, natural gases, petroleum (oil byproduct) Problem? Not everyone has oil I their back yard Saudi Arabia and Mexico have large amounts of oil but other countries like the US and China have more natural gas and coal
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12. New Supplies Needed!! 1979 OPEC raised the price of oil What was the outcome? Gas prices went up Countries with limited sources of oil had to buy at an increased price raising their asking price for products A global problem? EVERYONE NEEDS OIL THE SEARCH IS ON!!
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14. Chapter 2.3Climate vs. Weather Weather Day to day changes in the air in terms of precipitation and / or temperature “It’s 90 degrees today” Affected by the movement of storms around the planet Changes rapidly over a few days Climate Long term average weather in any one place or region “the climate in Jamaica is tropical” Largely affected by wind patterns, water currents and major landforms Changes take place over years or even millennia
15. Broad Types of Climate on Earth Tropical Low latitudes around the Equator Generally hot, wet and sunny Rain forests dominate Dry Different places around the Earth – generally on the opposite side of mountain ranges from wind flow Little to rain with sandy soil Sparse to no vegetation Moderate Found in the middle latitudes (like Connecticut) Temperatures and rainfall are generally moderate enough every year to promote agricultural production Continental Hot summers and bitterly cold winters Generally drier than moderate climates Large grasslands in some areas and forests in others Polar Found in high latitudes Cold all year round Vegetation includes low shrubs, mosses Very little life found in these regions
