Curriculum Map: Earth Science CVHS3101
Course: Earth Science Sub-topic: Uncategorized
Grade(s): 9
Course Description:
The course will be separated into two major units: a geology unit and a meteorology unit. In the geology unit, we will explore plate tectonics. We will also study earth's chemistry as it pertains to minerals, rocks, and natural resources. In the meteorology unit, we will focus on the structure and composition of the atmosphere. We will also explore the chemistry of water as well as the processes of evaporation and condensation. The course will conclude with an explanation of air masses, weather systems, and storms.
Course Textbooks, Workbooks, Materials Citations: Allison, Mead A, DeGaetano, Arthur T, Pasachoff, Jay M (2010). Earth Science. Austin: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Brian Emler
5/8/2015
Curriculum Map Author(s):
Date of Last Revision to the Curriculum Map:
Unit: Geology
Timeline: 9 Weeks
Unit Description:
Unit Big Ideas:
The geology unit will focus processes of plate tectonics and how it relates to earthquakes and volcanoes. Earth's chemistry will be studied as it relates to minerals, rocks, and natural resources.
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
2. The movement of plates causes earthquakes and volcanoes.
3. The chemistry of the earth is responsible for the structure of minerals, rocks, and natural resources.
4. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
5. The Earth and its landforms can be represented through maps and scales.
Unit Essential Questions:
1. How is the internal structure of the earth organized and classified?
2. How do we describe and interpret Earth's features, their origins, and the processes that shape them?
3. What is responsible for causing earthquakes and volcanoes on planet Earth?
4. How are various minerals, rocks, and natural resources created within or on the Earth?
5. How do Earth's processes and human activities affect each other?
Unit Academic Vocabulary & Definitions : 1. Alloy: a solution composed of two or more metals
2. Anthracite: a type of coal formed from pressure placed on bituminous made of ninety percent carbon
3. Anticline: a fold in beds of rock that causes rocks to be folded upward
4. Asterism: the phenomenon in which a six-sided star shape appears when a mineral reflects light
5. Asthenosphere: the solid, plastic layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere; made of mantle rock that flows very slowly, which allows tectonic plates to move on top of it
6. Atomic Mass: the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom
7. Atomic Number: the number equal to the number of protons located in the nucleus of an atom
8. Atoms: the smallest unit of an element that maintains the chemical properties of that element
9. Azimuthal Projection: map projection that has one point of contact and it accurate at the point of contact but distorts distances and sizes as you move from the point of contact
10. Biomass: plant material, manure, or any other organic matter that is used as an energy source
11. Bituminous: a type of coal formed from pressure placed on lignite made of eighty percent carbon
12. Body Waves: a seismic wave that travels through the body of a medium
13. Caldera: a large, circular depression that forms when the magma chamber below a volcano partially empties and causes the ground above to sink
14. Carbonates: nonsilicate minerals that contain a carbonate group
15. Chatoyancy: minerals that display a silky appearance in reflected light
16. Chemical Sedimentary Rock: sedimentary rock that forms when minerals precipitate from a solution or settle from a suspension
17. Cinder Cones: volcanic cones that have steep sides and are rarely more than a few hundred meters high
18. Clastic Sedimentary Rock: sedimentary rock that forms when fragments of preexisting rocks are compacted or cemented together
19. Cleavage: the tendency of a mineral to split along specific plant of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces
20. Composite Cones: volcanic cones that are made of alternating layers of hardened lava flows and pyroclastic material
21. Compound: a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
22. Compression: type of stress that squeezes rock together and makes rocks thicker
23. Concretion: a feature found in sedimentary rock where minerals from a solution build up around an existing rock or nucleus
24. Conic Projection: map projection that is accurate at the point of contact along a parallel but distorts distances and sizes as you move from the point of contact
25. Conservation: the preservation and wise use of natural resources
26. Contiental-Oceanic Boundary: the boundary at which an ocean plate subducts under a continental plate which creates an ocean trench and volcanoes on the continent
27. Continental-Continental Boundary: the boundary at which two continental plates collide and neither plate subducts which creates large mountain ranges
28. Contour Line: a line that connects points of equal elevation on a map
29. Convergent Plate Boundary: the boundary between tectonic plates that are colliding
30. Covalent Bond: a bond formed when atoms share one or more pairs of electrons
31. Crater: funnel-shaped pit at the top of a volcano
32. Crust: the thin and solid outermost layer of Earth above the mantle
33. Cylindrical Projection: map projection that is accurate near the equator but distorts distances and sizes near the poles
34. Divergent Plate Boundary: the boundary between two tectonic plates the are moving away from each other
35. Electron: a subatomic particle that has a negative charge
36. Elevation: the height above mean sea level
37. Epicenter: the point on Earth’s surface directly above an earthquake’s starting point, or focus
38. Extrusive Igneous Rock: rock that forms from the cooling and solidification of lava at Earth’s surface
39. Fault: a break in beds of rock in which beds of rock move past each other
40. Felsic: describes magma or igneous rock that is rich in feldspars and silica and that is generally light in color
41. Fluorescence: the ability of a mineral to glow under ultraviolet light
42. Focus: a location within Earth along a fault at which the first motion of an earthquake occurs
43. Fold: a bend in rock layers that results from stress
44. Foliated Metamorphic: metamorphic rock in which mineral grains are arranged in planes or bands
45. Fossil Fuel: a nonrenewable energy resource formed from the remains of organisms that lived long ago
46. Fossil: the trace or remains of an organism that lived long ago, most commonly preserved in sedimentary rock
47. Fractional Scale: map scale shown by using a ratio
48. Fracture: the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
49. Fumaroles: vent in the ground in volcanic areas where gases are able to escape from the earth
50. Geode: a feature found in sedimentary rock where minerals crystallize inside a rock cavity
51. Geothermal Energy: the energy produced by heat within the Earth
52. Graphic Scale: map scale shown by a printed line that has markings on it that are similar to those on a ruler
53. Gutenberg discontinuity: boundary between the mantle and outer core
54. Halides: nonsilicate minerals that consist of chlorine or fluorine combined with sodium, potassium, or calcium
55. Hardness: the measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching
56. Hydroelectric Energy: electrical energy produced by the flow of water
57. Igneous Rock: rock that forms from the cooling of magma or lava
58. Inner Core: the solid, innermost layer of the Earth
59. Intensity: the amount of damage caused by an earthquake
60. Intrusive Igneous Rock: rock formed from the cooling and solidification of magma beneath Earth’s surface
61. Ion: an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons and has a negative or positive charge
62. Ionic Bond: the attractive force between oppositely charged ions, which form when electrons are transferred from one atom or molecule to another
63. Isostasy: a condition of gravitational and buoyant equilibrium between Earth’s lithosphere and asthenosphere
64. Lahar: mudslides created from the melted snow and ice during a volcanic eruption
65. Latitude: the angular distance north or south from the equator; expressed in degrees
66. Lava: molten rock located on earth’s surface
67. Lignite: a type of coal formed from pressure placed on peat
68. Lithosphere: the solid, outer layer of Earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle
69. Longitude: the angular distance east or west from the prime meridian; expressed in degrees
70. Love Waves: surface waves that cause the rock to move side to side and perpendicular to the direction in which the waves are travelling
71. Luster: the way in which a mineral reflects light
72. Mafic: describes magma or igneous rock that is rich in magnesium and iron and that is generally dark in color
73. Magma: molten rock located under earth’s surface
74. Magnitude: the measure of the strength of an earthquake
75. Mantle: the layer of rock between Earth's crust and core
76. Map Projection: a flat map that represents a spherical surface
77. Mercalli Scale: earthquake rating scale that rates earthquakes based on their effects or damage caused
78. Metamorphic Rock: rock that forms when existing rock is altered by heat and/or pressure
79. Mineral: a naturally occurring solid that has a definite chemical composition, an orderly internal structure, and a characteristic set of physical properties
80. Mixture: a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined
81. Mohorovicic discontinuity: boundary between the crust and mantle
82. Molecule: a group of atoms that are held together by chemical forces; the smallest part of a compound that keeps the properties of that compound
83. Moment Magnitude Scale: earthquake rating scale that rates earthquakes based on the size of the area the fault moves, average distance the fault moves, and the rigidity of the rocks in the fault zone
84. Monocline: a fold in beds of rock that causes gently dipping bends in the layers of rock
85. Mud Cracks: a feature found in sedimentary rock when muddy deposits dry, shrink, and crack and are preserved in sedimentary rock
86. Native Elements: nonsilicate minerals made of elements uncombined with other elements
87. Neutron: a subatomic particle that has no charge and that is located in the nucleus of an atom
88. Nonfoliated Metamorphic: metamorphic rock in which mineral grains are not arranged in planes or bands
89. Nonrenewable resource: a natural resource that forms at a rate that is much slower than the rate at which the resource is consumed
90. Nonsilicate mineral: a mineral that does not contain compounds of silicon and oxygen
91. Normal Fault: a fault in which the hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall
92. Nuclear Fission: the process by which the nucleus of a heavy atom splits into two or more fragments which then releases neutrons and energy
93. Nuclear Fusion: the process by which nuclei of small atoms combine to form a new, more massive nucleus which then releases energy
94. Oceanic-Oceanic Boundary: the boundary at which two ocean plates collide which causes both plates to be forced downward which subducts a plate creating an ocean trench and island arc.
95. Organic Sedimentary Rock: sedimentary rock that forms from the remains of plants or animals
96. Outer Core: the liquid layer of Earth between the mantle and inner core
97. Oxides: nonsilicate minerals that contain oxygen and an element other than silicon
98. Peat: a type of coal that forms from the partial decomposition of plant remains
99. Phosphorescence: the ability of a mineral to continue to glow under ultraviolet light after the light has been turned off
100. Porphyry: igneous rock that has a mixture of large and small crystals due to cooling at varying rates
101. Primary Waves (P waves): a seismic wave that causes particles of rock to move in a back-and-forth direction in which the wave is travelling
102. Proton: a subatomic particle that has a positive charge and is located in the nucleus of an atom
103. Pyroclastic Flow: a super-heated cloud of dust, rock, and ash that moves hundreds of miles per hour from an erupting volcano
104. Pyroclastics: fragments of rock that form during a volcanic eruption
105. Rayleigh waves: surface waves that cause the rock to move with an elliptical, rolling motion
106. Recycling: the process of recovering valuable or useful materials from waste or scrap or the process of reusing some items
107. Relief: the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in a region
108. Renewable resource: a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed
109. Reverse Fault: a fault in which the hanging wall moves upward relative to the footwall
110. Richter Scale: earthquake rating scale that rates earthquakes based on their ground movement or strength
111. Rift Valley: the process by which Earth’s crust breaks apart where large portions of crust move up and/or down relative to other blocks
112. Ripple Marks: a feature found in sedimentary rock when the action of wind or water on sand is preserved as sandstone
113. Rock Cycle: the series of processes in which rock forms, changes from one type to another, is destroyed, and forms again by geological formation
114. Seafloor Spreading: the process by which new oceanic lithosphere (sea floor) forms when magma rises to Earth’s surface at mid-ocean ridges solidifies, as older, existing sea floor moves away from the ridge
115. Scale: the relationship between the distance shown on a map and the actual distance
116. Secondary Waves (S waves): a seismic wave that causes particles of rock to move in a side-to-side direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wave is travelling
117. Sedimentary Rock: rock that forms when the deposits of other rock are compressed and cemented together
118. Seismic Gap: an area along a fault where relatively few earthquakes have occurred recently but where strong earthquakes are known to have occurred in the past
119. Seismogram: a tracing of earthquake motion that is recorded by a seismograph
120. Seismograph: an instrument that records vibrations in the ground
121. Seismologist: a scientist who studies earthquakes
122. Shearing: type of stress that pushes rock in opposite horizontal directions which bends, twists, and breaks rock
123. Shield Cones: volcanic cones that are broad at the base and have gently sloping sides; they cover a wide area and generally forms from quiet eruptions
124. Silicate Mineral: a mineral that contains a combination of silicon and oxygen and that may also contain one or more metals
125. Solar Energy: the energy received by Earth from the sun in the form of radiation
126. Solution: a mixture in which two or more substances are uniformly distributed
127. Strain: any change in a rock’s shape or volume caused by stress; deformation
128. Stratification: layering of sedimentary rock that occurs when the conditions of sediment deposition change by sediment type or of depositional environment
129. Streak: the color of a mineral in powdered form
130. Stress: the amount of force per unit area that acts on a rock
131. Strike-Slip Fault: a fault in which the beds of rock move horizontally past each other
132. Subduction Zone: an area along a plate boundary where one plate is forced under another plate
133. Sulfates: nonsilicate minerals that contain a sulfate group
134. Sulfides: nonsilicate minerals that contain one or more elements combined with sulfur
135. Surface Waves: a seismic wave that travels along the surface of a medium and that has a stronger effect near the surface of the medium than it has in the interior
136. Syncline: a fold in beds of rock that causes rocks to be folded downward
137. Tension: type of stress that stretches and pulls beds of rock apart and makes rocks thinner
138. Thrust Fault: a special type of reverse fault in which the fault plane is at a low angle or is nearly horizontal
139. Transform Plate Boundary: the plate at which two plates slide or move horizontally past one another
140. Triangulation: process of using three seismic stations to find the epicenter of an earthquake
141. Tsunami: a giant ocean wave that forms after a volcanic eruption, submarine earthquake, or landslide
142. Verbal Scale: map scale shown in sentence form
143. Volcano: a vent or fissure in Earth’s surface through which magma and gases are expelled
Unit Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students demonstrate by drawing the internal structure of the earth.
2. Students identify locations around the world that are impacted by the actions of plate tectonics.
3. Students explain the processes that allow some substances to bond while others do not bond.
4. Students relate the formation of minerals and rocks to the internal workings of the earth.
STANDARDS
STATE: Pennsylvania SAS Academic Standards (2009-2013)
3.3.10.A1 (Mastered)
Relate plate tectonics to both slow and rapid changes in the earth’s surface.
3.3.10.A2 (Mastered)
Analyze the effects on the environment and the carbon cycle of using both renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy.
3.3.10.A3 (Mastered)
Explain how the evolution of Earth has been driven by interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. 3.3.10.A4 (Mastered)
Relate geochemical cycles to conservation of matter. Explain how the Earth’s systems and its various cycles are driven by energy.
3.3.10.A7 (Mastered)
SCALE/MODELS - Interpret and create models of the Earth’s physical features in various mapping representations.
Topic: Maps Core Lesson Description:
Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Students will learn to interpret and create models of the Earth’s physical features in various mapping representations.
1. How can the size and features of the earth be represented?
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
The Earth and its landforms can be represented through maps and scales.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Latitude: the angular distance north or south from the equator; expressed in degrees
2. Longitude: the angular distance east or west from the prime meridian; expressed in degrees
3. Scale: the relationship between the distance shown on a map and the actual distance
4. Graphic Scale: map scale shown by a printed line that has markings on it that are similar to those on a ruler
5. Fractional Scale: map scale shown by using a ratio
6. Verbal Scale: map scale shown in sentence form
7. Map Projection: a flat map that represents a spherical surface
8. Cylindrical Projection: map projection that is accurate near the equator but distorts distances and sizes near the poles
9. Azimuthal Projection: map projection that has one point of contact and is accurate at the point of contact but distorts distances and sizes as you move from the point of contact
10. Conic Projection: map projection that is accurate at the point of contact along a parallel but distorts distances and sizes as you move from the point of contact
11. Elevation: the height above mean sea level
12. Relief: the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in a region
13. Contour Line: a line that connects points of equal elevation on a map
Topic: Plate Tectonics Core Lesson Description:
Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Students will learn about the relationship between plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanism. Students will understand the cause of earthquakes and volcanoes as they relate to plate movement.
1. How is the internal structure of the earth organized and classified?
2. How do we describe and interpret Earth's features, their origins, and the processes that shape them?
3. What is responsible for causing earthquakes and volcanoes on planet Earth?
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
2. The movement of plates causes earthquakes and volcanoes.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Crust: the thin and solid outermost layer of Earth above the mantle
2. Mantle: the layer of rock between Earth's crust and core
3. Outer Core: the liquid layer of Earth between the mantle and inner core
4. Inner Core: the solid, innermost layer of the Earth
5. Lithosphere: the solid, outer layer of Earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle
6. Asthenosphere: the solid, plastic layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere; made of mantle rock that flows very slowly, which allows tectonic plates to move on top of it
7. Magma: molten rock located under earth’s surface
8. Lava: molten rock located on earth’s surface
9. Mohorovicic discontinuity: boundary between the crust and mantle
10. Gutenberg discontinuity: boundary between the mantle and outer core
11. Divergent Plate Boundary: the boundary between two tectonic plates the are moving away from each other
12. Seafloor Spreading: the process by which new oceanic lithosphere (sea floor) forms when magma rises to Earth’s surface at mid-ocean ridges solidifies, as older, existing sea floor moves away from the ridge
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13. Rift Valley: the process by which Earth’s crust breaks apart where large portions of crust move up and/or down relative to other blocks
14. Convergent Plate Boundary: the boundary between tectonic plates that are colliding
15. Contiental-Oceanic Boundary: the boundary at which an ocean plate subducts under a continental plate which creates an ocean trench and volcanoes on the continent
16. Continental-Continental Boundary: the boundary at which two continental plates collide and neither plate subducts which creates large mountain ranges
17. Oceanic-Oceanic Boundary: the boundary at which two ocean plates collide which causes both plates to be forced downward which subducts a plate creating an ocean trench and island arc.
18. Subduction Zone: an area along a plate boundary where one plate is forced under another plate
19. Transform Plate Boundary: the plate at which two plates slide or move horizontally past one another
20. Isostasy: a condition of gravitational and buoyant equilibrium between Earth’s lithosphere and asthenosphere
Topic: Earthquakes Core Lesson Description:
Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Students will learn about the relationship between plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanism. Students will understand the cause of earthquakes and volcanoes as they relate to plate movement.
1. How is the internal structure of the earth organized and classified?
2. How do we describe and interpret Earth's features, their origins, and the processes that shape them?
3. What is responsible for causing earthquakes and volcanoes on planet Earth?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
2. The movement of plates causes earthquakes and volcanoes.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Stress: the amount of force per unit area that acts on a rock
2. Strain: any change in a rock’s shape or volume caused by stress; deformation
3. Compression: type of stress that squeezes rock together and makes rocks thicker
4. Tension: type of stress that stretches and pulls beds of rock apart and makes rocks thinner
5. Shearing: type of stress that pushes rock in opposite horizontal directions which bends, twists, and breaks rock
6. Fold: a bend in rock layers that results from stress
7. Anticline: a fold in beds of rock that causes rocks to be folded upward
8. Syncline: a fold in beds of rock that causes rocks to be folded downward
9. Monocline: a fold in beds of rock that causes gently dipping bends in the layers of rock
10. Fault: a break in beds of rock in which beds of rock move past each other
11. Normal Fault: a fault in which the hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall
12. Reverse Fault: a fault in which the hanging wall moves upward relative to the footwall
13. Thrust Fault: a special type of reverse fault in which the fault plane is at a low angle or is nearly horizontal
14. Strike-Slip Fault: a fault in which the beds of rock move horizontally past each other
15. Focus: a location within Earth along a fault at which the first motion of an earthquake occurs
16. Epicenter: the point on Earth’s surface directly above an earthquake’s starting point, or focus
17. Seismograph: an instrument that records vibrations in the ground
18. Seismogram: a tracing of earthquake motion that is recorded by a seismograph
19. Seismologist: a scientist who studies earthquakes
20. Body Waves: a seismic wave that travels through the body of a medium
21. Primary Waves (P waves): a seismic wave that causes particles of rock to move in a back-and-forth direction in which the wave is travelling
22. Secondary Waves (S waves): a seismic wave that causes particles of rock to move in a side-to-side direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wave is travelling
23. Surface Waves: a seismic wave that travels along the surface of a medium and that has a stronger effect near the surface of the medium than it has in the interior
24. Love Waves: surface waves that cause the rock to move side to side and perpendicular to the direction in which the waves are travelling
25. Rayleigh Waves: surface waves that cause the rock to move with an elliptical, rolling motion
26. Triangulation: process of using three seismic stations to find the epicenter of an earthquake
27. Mercalli Scale: earthquake rating scale that rates earthquakes based on their effects or damage caused
28. Intensity: the amount of damage caused by an earthquake
29. Richter Scale: earthquake rating scale that rates earthquakes based on their ground movement or strength
30. Magnitude: the measure of the strength of an earthquake
31. Moment Magnitude Scale: earthquake rating scale that rates earthquakes based on the size of the area the fault moves, average distance the fault moves, and the rigidity of the rocks in the fault zone
32. Tsunami: a giant ocean wave that forms after a volcanic eruption, submarine earthquake, or landslide
33. Seismic Gap: an area along a fault where relatively few earthquakes have occurred recently but where strong earthquakes are known to have occurred in the past
Topic: Volcanism Core Lesson Description:
Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Students will learn about the relationship between plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanism. Students will understand the cause of earthquakes and volcanoes as they relate to plate movement.
1. How is the internal structure of the earth organized and classified?
2. How do we describe and interpret Earth's features, their origins, and the processes that shape them?
3. What is responsible for causing earthquakes and volcanoes on planet Earth?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
2. The movement of plates causes earthquakes and volcanoes.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Volcano: a vent or fissure in Earth’s surface through which magma and gases are expelled
2. Mafic: describes magma or igneous rock that is rich in magnesium and iron and that is generally dark in color
3. Felsic: describes magma or igneous rock that is rich in feldspars and silica and that is generally light in color
4. Pyroclastics: fragments of rock that form during a volcanic eruption
5. Shield Cones: volcanic cones that are broad at the base and have gently sloping sides; they cover a wide area and generally forms from quiet eruptions
6. Cinder Cones: volcanic cones that have steep sides and are rarely more than a few hundred meters high
7. Composite Cones: volcanic cones that are made of alternating layers of hardened lava flows and pyroclastic material
8. Crater: funnel-shaped pit at the top of a volcano
9. Caldera: a large, circular depression that forms when the magma chamber below a volcano partially empties and causes the ground above to sink
10. Pyroclastic Flow: a super-heated cloud of dust, rock, and ash that moves hundreds of miles per hour from an erupting volcano
11. Lahar: mudslides created from the melted snow and ice during a volcanic eruption
12. Fumaroles: vent in the ground in volcanic areas where gases are able to escape from the earth
Topic: Earth's Chemistry Core Lesson Description:
Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Students will learn about the elements of the earth and how they react with other elements. Students will use their knowledge of the elements and earth to understand how minerals and rocks form on or within the earth.
1. How do we describe and interpret Earth's features, their origins, and the processes that shape them?
2. How are various minerals, rocks, and natural resources created within or on the Earth?
3. How do Earth's processes and human activities affect each other?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
2. The chemistry of the earth is responsible for the structure of minerals, rocks, and natural resources.
3. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Atoms: the smallest unit of an element that maintains the chemical properties of that element
2. Proton: a subatomic particle that has a positive charge and is located in the nucleus of an atom
3. Neutron: a subatomic particle that has no charge and that is located in the nucleus of an atom
4. Electron: a subatomic particle that has a negative charge
5. Atomic Number: the number equal to the number of protons located in the nucleus of an atom
6. Atomic Mass: the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom
7. Compound: a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
8. Molecule: a group of atoms that are held together by chemical forces; the smallest part of a compound that keeps the properties of that compound
9. Covalent Bond: a bond formed when atoms share one or more pairs of electrons
10. Ionic Bond: the attractive force between oppositely charged ions, which form when electrons are transferred from one atom or molecule to another
11. Ion: an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons and has a negative or positive charge
12. Mixture: a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined
13. Solution: a mixture in which two or more substances are uniformly distributed
14. Alloy: a solution composed of two or more metals
Topic: Minerals Core Lesson Description:
Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Students will learn about the elements of the earth and how they react with other elements. Students will use their knowledge of the elements and earth to understand how minerals and rocks form on or within the earth.
1. How do we describe and interpret Earth's features, their origins, and the processes that shape them?
2. How are various minerals, rocks, and natural resources created within or on the Earth?
3. How do Earth's processes and human activities affect each other?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
2. The chemistry of the earth is responsible for the structure of minerals, rocks, and natural resources.
3. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Mineral: a naturally occurring solid that has a definite chemical composition, an orderly internal structure, and a characteristic set of physical properties
2. Silicate Mineral: a mineral that contains a combination of silicon and oxygen and that may also contain one or more metals
3. Nonsilicate mineral: a mineral that does not contain compounds of silicon and oxygen
4. Carbonates: nonsilicate minerals that contain a carbonate group
5. Halides: nonsilicate minerals that consist of chlorine or fluorine combined with sodium, potassium, or calcium
6. Native Elements: nonsilicate minerals made of elements uncombined with other elements
7. Oxides: nonsilicate minerals that contain oxygen and an element other than silicon
8. Sulfates: nonsilicate minerals that contain a sulfate group
9. Sulfides: nonsilicate minerals that contain one or more elements combined with sulfur
10. Streak: the color of a mineral in powdered form
11. Luster: the way in which a mineral reflects light
12. Cleavage: the tendency of a mineral to split along specific plant of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces
13. Fracture: the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
14. Hardness: the measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching
15. Fluorescence: the ability of a mineral to glow under ultraviolet light
16. Phosphorescence: the ability of a mineral to continue to glow under ultraviolet light after the light has been turned off
17. Chatoyancy: minerals that display a silky appearance in reflected light
18. Asterism: the phenomenon in which a six-sided star shape appears when a mineral reflects light
Topic: Rocks Core Lesson Description:
Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Students will learn about the elements of the earth and how they react with other elements. Students will use their knowledge of the elements and earth to understand how minerals and rocks form on or within the earth.
1. How do we describe and interpret Earth's features, their origins, and the processes that shape them?
2. How are various minerals, rocks, and natural resources created within or on the Earth?
3. How do Earth's processes and human activities affect each other?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
2. The chemistry of the earth is responsible for the structure of minerals, rocks, and natural resources.
3. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Rock Cycle: the series of processes in which rock forms, changes from one type to another, is destroyed, and forms again by geological formation
2. Igneous Rock: rock that forms from the cooling of magma or lava
3. Intrusive Igneous Rock: rock formed from the cooling and solidification of magma beneath Earth’s surface
4. Extrusive Igneous Rock: rock that forms from the cooling and solidification of lava at Earth’s surface
5. Porphyry: igneous rock that has a mixture of large and small crystals due to cooling at varying rates
6. Felsic: describes magma or igneous rock that is rich in feldspars and silica and that is generally light in color
7. Mafic: describes magma or igneous rock that is rich in magnesium and iron and that is generally dark in color
8. Sedimentary Rock: rock that forms when the deposits of other rock are compressed and cemented together
9. Clastic Sedimentary Rock: sedimentary rock that forms when fragments of preexisting rocks are compacted or cemented together
10. Chemical Sedimentary Rock: sedimentary rock that forms when minerals precipitate from a solution or settle from a suspension
11. Organic Sedimentary Rock: sedimentary rock that forms from the remains of plants or animals
12. Fossil: the trace or remains of an organism that lived long ago, most commonly preserved in sedimentary rock
13. Stratification: layering of sedimentary rock that occurs when the conditions of sediment deposition change by sediment type or of depositional environment
14. Ripple Marks: a feature found in sedimentary rock when the action of wind or water on sand is preserved as sandstone
15. Mud Cracks: a feature found in sedimentary rock when muddy deposits dry, shrink, and crack and are preserved in sedimentary rock
16. Concretion: a feature found in sedimentary rock where minerals from a solution build up around an existing rock or nucleus
17. Geode: a feature found in sedimentary rock where minerals crystallize inside a rock cavity
18. Metamorphic Rock: rock that forms when existing rock is altered by heat and/or pressure
19. Foliated Metamorphic Rock: metamorphic rock in which mineral grains are arranged in planes or bands
20. Nonfoliated Metamorphic Rock: metamorphic rock in which mineral grains are not arranged in planes or bands
Topic: Natural Resources Core Lesson Description:
Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Students will learn about the elements of the earth and how they react with other elements. Students will use their knowledge of the elements and earth to understand how minerals and rocks form on or within the earth.
1. How do we describe and interpret Earth's features, their origins, and the processes that shape them?
2. How are various minerals, rocks, and natural resources created within or on the Earth?
3. How do Earth's processes and human activities affect each other?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
2. The chemistry of the earth is responsible for the structure of minerals, rocks, and natural resources.
3. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Renewable resource: a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed
2. Nonrenewable resource: a natural resource that forms at a rate that is much slower than the rate at which the resource is consumed
3. Fossil Fuel: a nonrenewable energy resource formed from the remains of organisms that lived long ago
4. Peat: a type of coal that forms from the partial decomposition of plant remains
5. Lignite: a type of coal formed from pressure placed on peat
6. Bituminous: a type of coal formed from pressure placed on lignite made of eighty percent carbon
7. Anthracite: a type of coal formed from pressure placed on bituminous made of ninety percent carbon
8. Nuclear Fission: the process by which the nucleus of a heavy atom splits into two or more fragments which then releases neutrons and energy
9. Nuclear Fusion: the process by which nuclei of small atoms combine to form a new, more massive nucleus which then releases energy
10. Geothermal Energy: the energy produced by heat within the Earth
11. Solar Energy: the energy received by Earth from the sun in the form of radiation
12. Hydroelectric Energy: electrical energy produced by the flow of water
13. Biomass: plant material, manure, or any other organic matter that is used as an energy source
14. Conservation: the preservation and wise use of natural resources
15. Recycling: the process of recovering valuable or useful materials from waste or scrap or the process of reusing some items
Unit: Meteorology
Timeline: 9 Weeks
Unit Description:
In the meteorology unit, we will focus on the structure and composition of the atmosphere. We will also explore the chemistry of water as well as the processes of evaporation and condensation. The course will conclude with an explanation of air masses, weather systems, and storms.
Unit Big Ideas:
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
2. The chemistry of water is responsible for the creation of the various types of precipitation within our atmosphere.
3. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
4. The flow of energy within the earth's atmosphere is responsible for creating the forces of weather within our atmosphere.
5. The atmosphere is a mixture of gases with suspended solids and liquids.
6. Radiant energy from the sun creates temperature differences in water, land, and the atmosphere which drive local, regional, and global patterns of atmospheric circulation.
7. The atmosphere exhibits long-term circulation patterns (climate) and short-term patterns known as weather--storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
8. Water cycles through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
Unit Essential Questions:
1. How is the layered structure of the atmosphere related to temperature variations within the atmosphere?
2. How does the cycling of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen) affect human activity?
3. How does energy transfer within the atmosphere affect various weather factors?
4. What data is needed to forecast the weather and climate?
Unit Academic Vocabulary & Definitions :
1. Absolute Humidity: the mass of water vapor contained in a given volume of air
2. Adiabatic Cooling: the process by which the temperature of an air masses decreases as the air mass rises and expands
3. Advection Fog: type of fog that forms when warm, moist air moves across a cold surface
4. Advective Cooling: the process by which the temperature of an air mass decreases as the air mass moves over a cold surface
5. Air Mass: a large body of air throughout which temperature and moisture content are similar
6. Air: mixture of gases that sustains life
7. Altimeter: special type of barometer that is used to measure the height above sea level
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8. Altocumulus Clouds: cumulus clouds that form within the middle altitudes of the troposphere
9. Altostratus Clouds: stratus clouds that form within the middle altitudes of the troposphere
10. Aneroid Barometer: instrument used to measure the atmospheric pressure by reading the pointer on a scale that is connected to the expansion or contraction of a sealed metal container
11. Anticyclone: an area of high pressure where air sinks and flows outward from the center of high pressure
12. Atmosphere: the envelope of gases that surrounds a planet, moon, or other celestial body
13. Atmospheric Pressure: the force per unit area that is exerted on a surface by the weight of the atmosphere
14. Autumnal Equinox: September 22-23 when the sun’s rays strike the Earth’s equator directly
15. Barograph: a barometer that makes a continuous recording of atmospheric pressure
16. Carbon Dioxide Cycle: process by which the levels of carbon dioxide are maintained in our atmosphere
17. Cirrocumulus Clouds: high altitude, billowy clouds composed entirely of ice crystals
18. Cirrostratus Clouds: high altitude clouds that form a high, transparent veil across the sky
19. Cirrus Clouds: a feathery cloud that is composed of ice crystals and that has the highest altitude of any cloud in the sky
20. Cloud Seeding: the process of introducing freezing nuclei or condensation nuclei into a cloud in order to cuase rain to fall
21. Cloud: a collection of small water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air
22. Coalescence: the formation of a large droplet by the combination of smaller droplets
23. Cold Front: the front edge of a moving mass of cold air that pushes beneath a warmer air mass like a wedge
24. Condensation Nuclei: a solid particle in the atmosphere that provides the surface on which water vapor condenses
25. Condensation: the process of a gas turning into a liquid
26. Conduction: the transfer of energy as heat through a material through direct contact
27. Continental Arctic Air Mass: an air mass containing very cold, dry conditions
28. Continental Polar Air Mass: an air mass containing cold, dry conditions
29. Continental Tropical Air Mass: an air mass containing warm, dry conditions
30. Convection: the movement of matter due to differences in density that are caused by temperature variations; can result in the transfer of energy as heat
31. Coriolis Effect: the curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to Earth’s rotation
32. Cumulonimbus Clouds: high, dark storm clouds that produce precipitation; sometimes called thunderheads
33. Cumulus Clouds: clouds that typically form at low altitudes that has a top that resembles cotton balls and a dark bottom
34. Deposition: the process of a gas turning into a liquid
35. Dewpoint: the temperature at which the rate of condensation equals the rate of evaporation
36. Doldrums: windless zone in the equatorial regions where warm air is constantly moving upward
37. Easterlies: prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude in both hemispheres
38. Electromagnetic Spectrum: all of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation
39. Evaporation: the process of a liquid turning into a gas
40. Exosphere: zone of infinite altitude where the gases of earth’s atmosphere blend with space
41. Fog: water vapor that has condensed very near the surface of Earth because air close to the ground has cooled
42. Freezing Rain: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface that is at or below freezing creating a condition known as glaze ice
43. Freezing: the process of a liquid turning into a solid
44. Greenhouse Effect: the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases in the air absorb and reradiate infrared radiation
45. Hail: solid precipitation that forms lumps of ice
46. Horse Latitudes: high pressure zone near 30 degrees latitude where air is constantly moving downward
47. Hurricane: a severe storm that develops over tropical oceans and whose strong winds of more than 120 km/hr spiral in toward the intensely low-pressure storm center
48. Hygrometer: instrument used to measure relative humidity based on the ability to conduct electricity
49. Ionosphere: the lower region of the thermosphere where atoms lose electrons which produces ions
50. Land Breeze: a breeze that flows from land to sea due to convection
51. Latent Heat: the heat energy that is absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change
52. Maritime Polar Air Mass: an air mass containing cold, moist conditions
53. Maritime Tropical Air Mass: an air mass containing warm, moist conditions
54. Melting: the process of a solid turning into a liquid
55. Mercurial Barometer: instrument used to measure the atmospheric pressure by measuring the height of mercury inside a glass tube
56. Mesopause: top of the mesosphere where temperature stops decreasing and begins to increase
57. Mesosphere: the coldest layer of the atmosphere located between the stratosphere and thermosphere in which most meteors are burned up and temperature decreases with altitude
58. Midlatitude Cyclone: an area of low pressure that is characterized by rotating wind that moves toward the rising air of the central low-pressure region
59. Mountain Breeze: a breeze that flows from a mountain into a valley due to convection
60. Nimbostratus Clouds: low, layered clouds that produce precipitation
61. Nitrogen Cycle: process by which the levels of nitrogen are maintained in our atmosphere
62. Occluded Front: a front that forms when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass and lifts that warm air mass off the ground and over another air mass
63. Oxygen Cycle: process by which the levels of oxygen are maintained in our atmosphere
64. Precipitation: any form of water that falls to Earth’s surface from the clouds; includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail
65. Psychrometer: instrument containing a dry-bulb thermometer and wet-bulb thermometer that is used to measure relative humidity
66. Radiation Fog: type of fog that forms when a layer of air in contact with the ground becomes chilled to the dewpoint
67. Radiation: all forms of energy that travel through space in the form of waves
68. Rain: liquid precipitation
69. Relative Humidity: the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the amount of water vapor needed to reach saturation at a given temperature
70. Revolution: the motion of Earth traveling in its orbit around the sun
71. Rotation: the motion of the spinning of the Earth on its axis
72. Saturation Value: the amount of water vapor in the air needed to reach saturation
73. Sea Breeze: a breeze that flows from sea to land due to convection
74. Sleet: liquid precipitation that falls through a layer of freezing air turning the water into a ice pellet
75. Snow: precipitation that fails to melt after leaving the cloud
76. Stationary Front: a front of air masses that moves either very slowly or not at all
77. Steam Fog: type of fog that forms when cool air moves over an inland body of water, such as a river or lake
78. Stratocumulus Clouds: low clouds that are a combination of stratus and cumulus clouds
79. Stratopause: top of the stratosphere where temperature stops increasing and begins to decrease
80. Stratosphere: the layer of the atmosphere that lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere and in which temperature increases as altitude increases; contains the ozone layer and jet stream
81. Stratus Clouds: clouds that form at low altitudes and have a flat, uniform base
82. Sublimation: the process of a solid turning into a gas
83. Summer Solstice: June 21-22 when the sun’s rays strike the Tropic of Cancer directly
84. Supercooling: a condition in which a substance is cooled below its freezing point, condensation point, or sublimation point without going through a change of state
85. Thermosphere: the uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases
86. Thunderstorm: a usually brief, heavy storm that consists of rain, strong winds, lightning, and thunder
87. Tornado: a destructive, rotating column of air that has very high wind speeds and that may be visible as a funnel-shaped cloud
88. Trade Winds: prevailing winds that blow from east to west from 30 degrees latitude to the equator in both hemispheres
89. Tropopause: top of the troposphere where temperature stops decreasing and begins to increase
90. Troposphere: the lowest layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature drops at a constant rate as altitude increases, the part of the atmosphere where weather conditions exist
91. Upslope Fog: type of fog that forms from the lifting and cooling of air as the air rises along land slopes
92. Valley Breeze: a breeze that flows from a valley to a mountain due to convection
93. Vernal Equinox: March 21-22 when the sun’s rays strike the Earth’s equator directly
94. Warm Front: the front edge of an advancing warm air mass that replaces colder air with warmer air
95. Westerlies: prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres
96. Winter Solstice: December 21-22 when the sun’s rays strike the Tropic of Capricorn directly
Unit Student Learning Outcomes:
Students shall Complete all labs , Readings , Quiz And Test with a passing grade .
Unit Instructional Procedures, Activities & Labs: psychrometer- use /lab; Determining relative humidity: outdoors , in hall and Classroom .
Unit Student Performance Tasks:
Lab ,Notes and evaulation of lab reports .
Unit Materials:
I-pad ,Note book , Earth science Text .
Unit Assignments:
Group - Weather forecasting project- Both short and long term .
Unit Notes:
See student note books & i- pads
STANDARDS
STATE: Pennsylvania SAS Academic Standards (2009-2013)
3.3.10.A3 (Mastered)
Explain how the evolution of Earth has been driven by interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
3.3.10.A4 (Mastered)
Relate geochemical cycles to conservation of matter. Explain how the Earth’s systems and its various cycles are driven by energy.
3.3.10.A5 (Introduced)
Explain how there is only one ocean. Explain the processes of the hydrologic cycle. Explain the dynamics of oceanic currents and their relationship to global circulation within the marine environment. 3.3.10.A6 (Mastered)
Interpret meteorological data to describe and/or predict weather. Explain the phenomena that cause global atmospheric processes such as storms, currents, and wind patterns.
3.3.10.A7 (Mastered)
SCALE/MODELS - Interpret and create models of the Earth’s physical features in various mapping representations.
Topic: Earth's Motions Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
1. How does energy transfer within the atmosphere affect various weather factors?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
2. The flow of energy within the earth's atmosphere is responsible for creating the forces of weather within our atmosphere.
3. Radiant energy from the sun creates temperature differences in water, land, and the atmosphere which drive local, regional, and global patterns of atmospheric circulation.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Rotation: the motion of the spinning of the Earth on its axis
2. Revolution: the motion of Earth traveling in its orbit around the sun
3. Vernal Equinox: March 21-22 when the sun’s rays strike the Earth’s equator directly
4. Summer Solstice: June 21-22 when the sun’s rays strike the Tropic of Cancer directly
5. Autumnal Equinox: September 22-23 when the sun’s rays strike the Earth’s equator directly
6. Winter Solstice: December 21-22 when the sun’s rays strike the Tropic of Capricorn directly
Topic: Air and the Atmosphere Core Lesson Essential Questions:
1. How is the layered structure of the atmosphere related to temperature variations within the atmosphere?
2. How does the cycling of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen) affect human activity?
3. How does energy transfer within the atmosphere affect various weather factors?
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
4. What data is needed to forecast the weather and climate?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
2. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
3. The flow of energy within the earth's atmosphere is responsible for creating the forces of weather within our atmosphere.
4. The atmosphere is a mixture of gases with suspended solids and liquids.
5. Radiant energy from the sun creates temperature differences in water, land, and the atmosphere which drive local, regional, and global patterns of atmospheric circulation.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Atmosphere: the envelope of gases that surrounds a planet, moon, or other celestial body
2. Air: mixture of gases that sustains life
3. Nitrogen Cycle: process by which the levels of nitrogen are maintained in our atmosphere
4. Oxygen Cycle: process by which the levels of oxygen are maintained in our atmosphere
5. Carbon Dioxide Cycle: process by which the levels of carbon dioxide are maintained in our atmosphere
6. Troposphere: the lowest layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature drops at a constant rate as altitude increases, the part of the atmosphere where weather conditions exist
7. Tropopause: top of the troposphere where temperature stops decreasing and begins to increase
8. Stratosphere: the layer of the atmosphere that lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere and in which temperature increases as altitude increases; contains the ozone layer and jet stream
9. Stratopause: top of the stratosphere where temperature stops increasing and begins to decrease
10. Mesosphere: the coldest layer of the atmosphere located between the stratosphere and thermosphere in which most meteors are burned up and temperature decreases with altitude
11. Mesopause: top of the mesosphere where temperature stops decreasing and begins to increase
12. Thermosphere: the uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which temperature increases as altitude increases
13. Ionosphere: the lower region of the thermosphere where atoms lose electrons which produces ions 14. Exosphere: zone of infinite altitude where the gases of earth’s atmosphere blend with space
15. Atmospheric Pressure: the force per unit area that is exerted on a surface by the weight of the atmosphere
16. Mercurial Barometer: instrument used to measure the atmospheric pressure by measuring the height of mercury inside a glass tube
17. Aneroid Barometer: instrument used to measure the atmospheric pressure by reading the pointer on a scale that is connected to the expansion or contraction of a sealed metal container
18. Altimeter: special type of barometer that is used to measure the height above sea level
19. Barograph: a barometer that makes a continuous recording of atmospheric pressure
20. Electromagnetic Spectrum: all of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation
21. Greenhouse Effect: the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases in the air absorb and reradiate infrared radiation
22. Radiation: all forms of energy that travel through space in the form of waves
23. Conduction: the transfer of energy as heat through a material through direct contact
24. Convection: the movement of matter due to differences in density that are caused by temperature variations; can result in the transfer of energy as heat
25. Coriolis Effect: the curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to Earth’s rotation
26. Trade Winds: prevailing winds that blow from east to west from 30 degrees latitude to the equator in both hemispheres
27. Westerlies: prevailing winds that blow from west to east between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres
28. Easterlies: prevailing winds that blow from east to west between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude in both hemispheres
29. Doldrums: windless zone in the equatorial regions where warm air is constantly moving upward
30. Horse Latitudes: high pressure zone near 30 degrees latitude where air is constantly moving downward
31. Sea Breeze: a breeze that flows from sea to land due to convection
32. Land Breeze: a breeze that flows from land to sea due to convection
33. Mountain Breeze: a breeze that flows from a mountain into a valley due to convection
34. Valley Breeze: a breeze that flows from a valley to a mountain due to convection
Topic: Water in the Atmosphere Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
1. How does energy transfer within the atmosphere affect various weather factors?
2. What data is needed to forecast the weather and climate?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
2. The chemistry of water is responsible for the creation of the various types of precipitation within our atmosphere.
3. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
4. The flow of energy within the earth's atmosphere is responsible for creating the forces of weather within our atmosphere.
5. The atmosphere is a mixture of gases with suspended solids and liquids.
6. Water cycles through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1. Latent Heat: the heat energy that is absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change
2. Evaporation: the process of a liquid turning into a gas
3. Condensation: the process of a gas turning into a liquid
4. Freezing: the process of a liquid turning into a solid
5. Melting: the process of a solid turning into a liquid
6. Sublimation: the process of a solid turning into a gas
7. Deposition: the process of a gas turning into a liquid
8. Absolute Humidity: the mass of water vapor contained in a given volume of air
9. Saturation Value: the amount of water vapor in the air needed to reach saturation
10. Relative Humidity: the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the amount of water vapor needed to reach saturation at a given temperature
11. Dewpoint: the temperature at which the rate of condensation equals the rate of evaporation
12. Psychrometer: instrument containing a dry-bulb thermometer and wet-bulb thermometer that is used to measure relative humidity
13. Hygrometer: instrument used to measure relative humidity based on the ability to conduct electricity
14. Cloud: a collection of small water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air 15. Condensation Nuclei: a solid particle in the atmosphere that provides the surface on which water vapor condenses
16. Adiabatic Cooling: the process by which the temperature of an air masses decreases as the air mass rises and expands
17. Advective Cooling: the process by which the temperature of an air mass decreases as the air mass moves over a cold surface
18. Stratus Clouds: clouds that form at low altitudes and have a flat, uniform base
19. Cumulus Clouds: clouds that typically form at low altitudes that has a top that resembles cotton balls and a dark bottom
20. Cirrus Clouds: a feathery cloud that is composed of ice crystals and that has the highest altitude of any cloud in the sky
21. Cirrocumulus Clouds: high altitude, billowy clouds composed entirely of ice crystals
22. Cirrostratus Clouds: high altitude clouds that form a high, transparent veil across the sky
23. Altocumulus Clouds: cumulus clouds that form within the middle altitudes of the troposphere
24. Altostratus Clouds: stratus clouds that form within the middle altitudes of the troposphere
25. Stratocumulus Clouds: low clouds that are a combination of stratus and cumulus clouds
26. Nimbostratus Clouds: low, layered clouds that produce precipitation
27. Cumulonimbus Clouds: high, dark storm clouds that produce precipitation; sometimes called thunderheads
28. Fog: water vapor that has condensed very near the surface of Earth because air close to the ground has cooled
29. Radiation Fog: type of fog that forms when a layer of air in contact with the ground becomes chilled to the dewpoint
30. Advection Fog: type of fog that forms when warm, moist air moves across a cold surface
31. Upslope Fog: type of fog that forms from the lifting and cooling of air as the air rises along land slopes
32. Steam Fog: type of fog that forms when cool air moves over an inland body of water, such as a river or lake
33. Coalescence: the formation of a large droplet by the combination of smaller droplets
34. Supercooling: a condition in which a substance is cooled below its freezing point, condensation point, or sublimation point without going through a change of state
35. Cloud Seeding: the process of introducing freezing nuclei or condensation nuclei into a cloud in order to cuase rain to fall
36. Precipitation: any form of water that falls to Earth’s surface from the clouds; includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail
37. Rain: liquid precipitation
38. Snow: precipitation that fails to melt after leaving the cloud
39. Sleet: liquid precipitation that falls through a layer of freezing air turning the water into a ice pellet
40. Hail: solid precipitation that forms lumps of ice 41. Freezing Rain: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface that is at or below freezing creating a condition known as glaze ice
Topic: Air Masses and Weather Systems Core Lesson Essential Questions:
Core Lesson Big Ideas:
1. How does energy transfer within the atmosphere affect various weather factors?
2. What data is needed to forecast the weather and climate?
1. The Earth is a complex and dynamic set of interconnected systems that interact over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales.
2. The chemistry of water is responsible for the creation of the various types of precipitation within our atmosphere.
3. The Earth's processes affect and are affected by human activities.
4. The flow of energy within the earth's atmosphere is responsible for creating the forces of weather within our atmosphere.
5. The atmosphere exhibits long-term circulation patterns (climate) and short-term patterns known as weather--storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Core Lesson Academic Vocabulary & Definitions: 1.Air Mass: a large body of air throughout which temperature and moisture content are similar
2. Maritime Tropical Air Mass: an air mass containing warm, moist conditions
3. Maritime Polar Air Mass: an air mass containing cold, moist conditions
4. Continental Tropical Air Mass: an air mass containing warm, dry conditions
5. Continental Polar Air Mass: an air mass containing cold, dry conditions
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6. Continental Arctic Air Mass: an air mass containing very cold, dry conditions
7. Cold Front: the front edge of a moving mass of cold air that pushes beneath a warmer air mass like a wedge
8. Warm Front: the front edge of an advancing warm air mass that replaces colder air with warmer air
9. Stationary Front: a front of air masses that moves either very slowly or not at all
10. Occluded Front: a front that forms when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass and lifts that warm air mass off the ground and over another air mass
12. Midlatitude Cyclone: an area of low pressure that is characterized by rotating wind that moves toward the rising air of the central low-pressure region
13. Anticyclone: an area of high pressure where air sinks and flows outward from the center of high pressure
14. Thunderstorm: a usually brief, heavy storm that consists of rain, strong winds, lightning, and thunder
15. Tornado: a destructive, rotating column of air that has very high wind speeds and that may be visible as a funnel-shaped cloud
16. Hurricane: a severe storm that develops over tropical oceans and whose strong winds of more than 120 km/hr spiral in toward the intensely low-pressure storm center
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