地球科学Earth Science.docxVIP

Earth ScienceEarth science is the study of earth as a planet and how it interacts and relates to cetestial objects.Celestial Objects - other objects in space.The study of earth science has evolved greatly over the last 100 years or so, but only recently has become a strand of science all on its own called “earth system science”.We now know that the earth is not a srandalone planet, but it interacts with the solar system and the universe around it.Techology is becoming more advanced which means we can travel, further deeper and understand more than we ever have before.SystemA systemn is like a model, which can be efined as part of the universe and can b e studied separately.Closed and open systemWhat’s the difference?In a cloed system, energy (like sunlight for example) can get in, but matter doesn’t enter or leave.In an open system the system andit’s surroundings freely exchange Both matter and energy.PlanetaryOne of the consequences of having an assentiallt closed system is that most of our resources are finite.Energy CycleImcoming solar energy 100%Reflected by atmosphere6%Reflected by clouds 20%Reflected from earth’s surface 4%Absorbed by land and oceans 51% Conduction and rising air 7%Absorbed by clouds 3%Absorbed by atmosphere 16%Radiated to space from clouds and atmosphere 64%Radiated directly to space from earth Radiation absorbed by atmosphere 15%Carried to clouds and atmophere by latent heat in water vapor 23%Greenland X S R R A M G C GOrigin of the universeImportance of time scales.Forces at work in the past - some changes as planet evolved.Forces at work today.How can we measure age of the earth.How old is Earth?Biblical scholars of 19th century(Bishop Ussher) - 600 years (Started at 4004 BC)Classical Greeks - infinite - history endlessly repeats itself.Mayans believed earth recycled on a 3000 years time scale Han Chinese thought earth was recreated every 2369040 yearsThe age we now except may change but is consistent with current theory.More recent effort