Science of Earth Systems

by Butz, Stephen

• ISBN13: 9780766833913
• ISBN10: 0766833917
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-10-03
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

To meet the challenges of the future, the scientific community has recognized the importance of uniting efforts in understanding and caring for Earth and its systems. Science of Earth's Systems explains how scientists have found it necessary to share their research across disciplines to try and comprehend Earth's complexities, and how they are being affected by human activities. It brings together the interactions that occur in the living and non-living world, and provides readers with a solid understanding of the processes that take place on and around Earth and the synergies that exist between them. Topics covered include the role of science and technology in society; matter and energy; astronomy; geology; meteorology; oceanography; biology; environmental science; and much more. With colorful photo references, charts and tables, to help illustrate the subjects, this text is an valuable resource for learners of science in the twenty-first century.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Unit 1: The Foundations of Science	xvi
Technology, Science, and Scientific Measurement	2	(22)
Technology	4	(7)
Human Origins	4	(2)
Stone Age Technology	6	(1)
The Agricultural Revolution	6	(1)
Bronze Age and Iron Age Technology	6	(1)
The Industrial Revolution	7	(2)
Technological Systems	9	(2)
The Foundations of Science	11	(4)
The Birth of Science	11	(1)
The Scientific Method	12	(1)
Scientific Experiments	12	(2)
Science, Technology, and Engineering	14	(1)
Scientific Measurement	15	(9)
Observation and Measurement	15	(1)
Units of Measurement	16	(2)
Density	18	(1)
Scientific Notation	19	(1)
Percent Error	20	(4)
Matter and Energy	24	(20)
The Properties of Matter	26	(7)
Atoms	26	(1)
The Elements	26	(3)
States of Matter	29	(2)
Compounds and Molecules	31	(2)
Energy	33	(11)
Energy	33	(1)
The Law of the Conservation of Energy	34	(1)
Electromagnetic Radiation	34	(2)
Energy Transfer	36	(3)
Heat and Temperature	39	(5)
Unit 2: The Exosphere	44	(70)
The Earth as a Planet	46	(18)
The Earth's Composition	48	(1)
The Earth's Shape	48	(1)
The Size of the Earth	49	(1)
The Earth's Rotation	50	(1)
The Earth's Tilted Axis	51	(1)
The Earth's Orbit	51	(1)
Tides	52	(1)
Apparent Motion of Celestial Objects	53	(1)
The Earth's Coordinate System: Latitude and Longitude	54	(3)
Topographic Maps	57	(7)
The Moon, Earth's Closest Neighbor	64	(10)
The Moon's Formation	66	(1)
The Composition of the Moon	66	(1)
The Moon's Surface	67	(1)
The Moon's Orbit	68	(1)
The Phases of the Moon	68	(1)
Eclipses	68	(6)
The Life of Stars	74	(16)
Life Cycle of Stars	76	(5)
Star Formation and Life Cycle	76	(1)
Classification of Stars	76	(1)
Dwarf Stars	76	(2)
Giant and Supergiant Stars	78	(1)
Neutron Stars	79	(1)
Black Holes	80	(1)
The Sun	81	(9)
Formation of the Sun	81	(1)
Composition of the Sun	81	(3)
The Sun's Life Cycle	84	(6)
The Solar System and its Place in the Universe	90	(24)
The Solar System	92	(12)
The Formation of the Solar System	92	(1)
The Terrestrial Planets	92	(4)
The Gaseous Planets	96	(3)
Asteroids	99	(2)
Meteoroids	101	(1)
Comets	102	(2)
The Earth's Place in the Universe	104	(10)
The Age and Size of the Universe	104	(1)
Galaxies	105	(2)
Quasars	107	(2)
Life in the Universe	109	(5)
Unit 3: The Lithosphere	114	(124)
The Earth's Interior	116	(8)
The Earth's Core	118	(1)
The Mantle	118	(1)
The Earth's Crust	118	(2)
The Model of Earth's Interior	120	(4)
Plate Tectonics	124	(18)
The Dynamic Crust	126	(1)
Evidence of Crustal Movement	126	(3)
Continental Drift	129	(2)
Sea Floor Spreading	131	(1)
Tectonic Plates	132	(1)
Plate Boundaries	132	(4)
Mantle Convection	136	(6)
Earthquakes and Volcanoes	142	(18)
Earthquakes	144	(5)
Causes of Earthquakes	144	(1)
Seismic Waves	144	(1)
Epicenter Location	145	(2)
Earthquake Measurement	147	(2)
Volcanoes	149	(11)
Formation of a Volcano	149	(1)
Quiet Eruption Volcanoes	149	(1)
Explosive Eruption Volcanoes	150	(3)
Volcanic Hazards	153	(7)
Minerals, Rocks, and Mineral Resources	160	(26)
Minerals	162	(5)
Mineral Properties	162	(4)
Mineral Composition	166	(1)
Rocks and Minerals	166	(1)
Rocks	167	(10)
Igneous Rocks	168	(1)
Sedimentary Rocks	169	(4)
Metamorphic Rocks	173	(2)
The Rock Cycle	175	(2)
Mineral Resources	177	(9)
Mineral Resources	177	(1)
Mineral Ores	177	(1)
Mineral Deposits	178	(1)
Mining Techniques	179	(7)
Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition	186	(14)
Physical and Chemical Weathering	188	(2)
The Process of Erosion	190	(2)
Agents of Erosion	192	(1)
The Process of Deposition	193	(7)
Soils	200	(14)
Soil Minerals	202	(1)
Soil Organic Material	202	(1)
Soil Water and Air	203	(1)
Soil Organisms	204	(1)
Soil Structure	204	(1)
Parent Material	205	(1)
Soil Horizons	206	(1)
Soil Classification	207	(7)
The Earth's Geologic History	214	(24)
Geologic Principles	216	(1)
Radiometric Dating	217	(1)
The Geologic Time Scale	218	(1)
The Archean Eon	218	(5)
The Proterozoic Eon	223	(1)
The Paleozoic Era	224	(4)
The Mesozoic Era	228	(2)
The Cenozoic Era	230	(8)
Unit 4: The Atmosphere	238	(148)
Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere	240	(10)
Atmospheric Composition	242	(1)
Atmospheric Structure	243	(7)
Insolation	250	(12)
The Sun's Radiation	252	(1)
Insolation and the Atmosphere	252	(1)
Insolation and the Earth's Surface	253	(1)
Angle of Insolation	254	(2)
Duration of Insolation	256	(1)
Heating the Atmosphere	256	(6)
Atmospheric Temperature and Pressure	262	(18)
Atmospheric Temperature	264	(6)
Temperature in the Atmosphere	264	(1)
Distribution of Heat on Earth	264	(3)
Radiative Cooling	267	(1)
The Greenhouse Effect	268	(2)
Atmospheric Pressure	270	(10)
Pressure in the Atmosphere	270	(1)
Measuring Atmospheric Pressure	270	(1)
High and Low Atmospheric Pressure	271	(2)
Atmospheric Pressure and Moisture	273	(7)
Humidity, Clouds, and Precipitation	280	(20)
Humidity	282	(5)
Atmospheric Moisture	282	(1)
Sources of Atmospheric Moisture	282	(1)
Relative Humidity	283	(1)
Dew Point Temperature	284	(3)
Clouds and Precipitation	287	(13)
Cloud Formation	287	(3)
Types of Clouds	290	(2)
Formation of Precipitation	292	(1)
Types of Precipitation	292	(3)
Orographic Precipitation	295	(5)
Wind, Air Masses, and Fronts	300	(24)
Wind	302	(10)
Pressure Gradient	302	(1)
Planetary Winds	302	(4)
Pressure Systems	306	(1)
Mesoscale Winds	307	(2)
Local Winds	309	(1)
The Jet Stream	309	(2)
Wind Measurement	311	(1)
Air Masses and Fronts	312	(12)
Air Mass Formation	312	(1)
Source Regions and Classification of Air Masses	312	(2)
Fronts	314	(4)
Mid-latitude Cyclones	318	(6)
Storms and Weather Forecasting	324	(20)
Storms	326	(8)
Thunderstorms	326	(2)
Tornadoes	328	(2)
Hurricanes	330	(4)
Weather Forecasting	334	(10)
Weather Data Collection	334	(1)
Synoptic Weather Maps	335	(1)
Weather Forecasts	335	(1)
Weather Radar and Satellites	336	(8)
Global Climate Change	344	(16)
Revealing the Earth's Past Climate	346	(1)
Ice Ages and Glaciations	347	(1)
The Milankovitch Cycle	347	(4)
Hot House Climates	351	(1)
Goldilocks Syndrome	351	(1)
Humans and Global Climate Change	352	(8)
Acid Precipitation and Deposition	360	(14)
The pH of Precipitation	362	(1)
Formation of Acid Precipitation	362	(1)
Anthropogenic Gases	362	(2)
Long Distance Transport of Acid-causing Pollutants	364	(1)
Effects of Acid Deposition on Aquatic Ecosystems	364	(2)
Effects of Acid Precipitation on Terrestrial Ecosystems	366	(1)
Effects of Acid Deposition on Human Beings and Building Materials	367	(2)
Control of Acid Deposition	369	(5)
Ozone Depletion	374	(12)
Ozone Gas	376	(1)
The Ozone Layer	376	(1)
Measuring Stratospheric Ozone	377	(2)
Effects of Ozone Depletion	379	(1)
The Ozone Hole	379	(1)
Reducing Ozone Depletion	380	(6)
Unit 5: The Hydrosphere	386	(110)
Earth, The Water Planet	388	(14)
The Blue Marble	390	(3)
The Earth's Oceans	390	(1)
Distribution of Freshwater on Earth	391	(2)
The Amazing Water Molecule	393	(9)
The Water Molecule	393	(1)
Adhesion and Cohesion	393	(1)
Heat Capacity of Water	394	(1)
Properties of Ice	395	(1)
Water as a Solvent	396	(6)
The Hydrologic Cycle	402	(10)
Evaporation	404	(1)
Water Vapor and Condensation	404	(1)
Precipitation and Surface Water	405	(1)
Runoff	406	(1)
Evapotranspiration	406	(1)
Infiltration and Groundwater	407	(5)
Oceanography	412	(14)
Seawater	414	(1)
Ocean Currents	414	(2)
Deep Ocean Circulation	416	(1)
Life Zones in the Ocean	416	(3)
Continental Shelves	419	(1)
Intertidal Zones	420	(6)
Fresh Surface Water and Groundwater	426	(22)
Fresh Surface Water	428	(10)
Lakes	428	(1)
Lake Productivity	428	(2)
Life Zones in Lakes	430	(1)
Watersheds and Rivers	431	(3)
Stream Features	434	(1)
Floodplains	435	(1)
Life Cycle of Rivers	436	(2)
Groundwater	438	(10)
Groundwater Recharge and the Water Table	438	(1)
Groundwater Flow	439	(2)
Aquifers and Groundwater Discharge	441	(1)
Groundwater Pollution	441	(7)
Glaciers	448	(12)
Anatomy of a Glacier	450	(1)
Glacial Movement and Moraines	451	(1)
Types of Glaciers	452	(3)
Glaciers and Global Climate	455	(5)
Pollution of the Hydrosphere	460	(14)
Sediment Pollution	462	(1)
Nutrient Pollution and Eutrophication	463	(1)
Toxic Organic Compounds	464	(1)
Toxic Inorganic Compounds	465	(1)
Disease-causing Agents	466	(2)
Thermal Pollution	468	(6)
El Nino and the Southern Oscillation	474	(12)
The South Equatorial Current and Upwelling	476	(1)
The Southern Oscillation	476	(3)
The Effects of an El Nino Event	479	(2)
La Nina Events	481	(1)
Monitoring the Pacific Ocean	482	(4)
Coral Bleaching	486	(10)
Coral and Coral Reef Systems	488	(1)
The Bleaching of Corals	488	(1)
Occurrence of Coral Bleaching	489	(1)
Causes of Coral Bleaching	489	(7)
Unit 6: The Biosphere	496	(100)
Ecological Systems	498	(12)
Ecology	500	(1)
Habitats	500	(1)
Populations	501	(2)
Communities	503	(1)
Ecosystems	504	(6)
World Biomes and Marine Ecosystems	510	(24)
World Biomes	512	(11)
Biomes	512	(1)
Tundra	512	(1)
Coniferous Forests	512	(2)
Temperate Forests	514	(2)
Grasslands	516	(1)
Savannas	516	(2)
Deserts	518	(2)
Tropical Rain Forests	520	(1)
Chaparral	520	(1)
Mountains	521	(2)
Marine Ecosystems	523	(11)
Coastal Wetlands	523	(1)
The Neritic and Intertidal Zones	523	(2)
The Oceanic Zone	525	(3)
The Benthic Zone	528	(1)
Hydrothermal Vent Communities	528	(6)
The Flow of Energy and Matter Through Ecosystems	534	(22)
Energy Flow Within Living Systems	536	(8)
Photosynthesis and Chemosynthesis	536	(1)
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs	537	(1)
Primary Production	537	(1)
Primary and Secondary Consumers	538	(2)
Food Chains and Webs	540	(1)
The Energy Pyramid	540	(4)
Biogeochemical Cycling	544	(12)
Biogeochemical Cycling	544	(1)
Carbon Cycling	544	(3)
Oxygen Cycling	547	(1)
Nitrogen Cycling	547	(3)
Phosphorus Cycling	550	(6)
Biological Succession	556	(10)
Biological Succession	558	(1)
Primary Succession and Pioneer Communities	558	(2)
Secondary Succession	560	(6)
Classification of the Living World	566	(30)
Taxonomy	568	(1)
The Kingdom Monera	568	(2)
The Kingdom Protista	570	(1)
The Kingdom Fungi	571	(1)
The Kingdom Plantae	572	(2)
The Kingdom Animalia	574	(1)
Invertebrate Animals	574	(6)
Vertebrate Animals	580	(16)
Glossary	596	(34)
Index	630