8th Grade Earth Science (Notes)

Identify FIVE areas of study in Earth Science
1. Oceanography
2. Environmental Science
3. Astronomy
4.Geology
5.Meterology

Identify Earth's FOUR major systems
1. Atmosphere
2. Biosphere
3. Hydrosphere
4. Geosphere

Describe the relationship between Earth's systems 
They are interdependent

Identify the TWO main GASES that compose Earth's atmosphere
1. Oxygen
2. Nitrogen

Identify Earth's FIVE main layers of the atmosphere
1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Exosphere
4. Thermosphere
5. Mesosphere

Identify THREE types of ENERGY TRANSFER in the atmosphere 
1. Radiation
2. Convection
3. Conduction

Identify the TREE main properties of the atmosphere 
1.Pressure
2. Temperature
3. Density

Identify which THREE types of clouds combine to create all others 
1. Cumulus
2. Stratus
3. Cirrus

Compare and Contrast, Climate and Weather. 
Compare- Use precipitation and temperature to describe an area
Contrast- Weather,short term=Climate, long term

Identify the FIVE air masses which affect North America
1. Arctic
2. Continental Polar
3. Continental Tropical
4. Maritime Tropical
5. Maritime Polar

Identify the THREE major wind systems
1. Polar easterlies
2. Prevailing Westerlies
3. Trade Winds

Identify the FOUR types of fronts 
1. Warm
2. Cold
3. Occluded
4. Stationary

Identify the THREE processes which form thunderstorms
1. Moisture
2. Lifting
3. Stability

Identify the TWO types of thunderstorms 
1. Air mass
2. Frontal

Identify THREE main characteristics of a thunderstorm 
1.Wind
2, Rain
3. Lightning

List TWO ways to stay safe during a thunderstorm /tornado/hurricane/flood
1. Get indoors
2. Emergency kit

Identify the THREE stages of cyclone formation
1. Formative
2. Mature
3. Dissapation

Identify the FOUR main factors that influence temperature. 
1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Distance from large bodies of water
4. Ocean Currents

Identify the TWO main factors that influence precipitation
1. Mountain Ranges
2. Prevailing Winds

Identify TWO factors that are used to define climates 
1. Temperature
2. Precipitation

Identify the FIVE main climates regions 
1. Tropical rainy
2. Temperate maritime
3. Temperate continental
4. Polar
5. Dry

Identify the main principle scientist follow in studying ancient climates
Ancient plants and animals needed similar conditions to survive as today's plants and animals do.

Explain what changes occur on Earth's surface than during an ice age 
Glaciers cover major parts of earths surface

Identify FOUR theories which have been proposed to explain natural climate change 
1. Earth's position
2. Movement of continents
3. Solar Energy
4. Volcanic eruption and meteorite impacts

Identify FOUR consequences of warmer oceans 
1. Increase Evaporation
2. Impacts shorelines and estuaries
3. Algae growth - coral bleaching
4. changing climatic zones

Identify FIVE ways interactions between oceans and the atmosphere influence global and regional climate.
1. Heat transfer my ocean current effects weather patterns
2. Oceans are carbon dioxide reservoirs
3. Evaporation and precipitation are correlated
4. Boundary currents can effect weather and migration patterns
5. Thermhaline (THC).

Describe the major causes for the oceans surface and deep water currents 
1. Coriolis effect, produces prevailing winds
2. Unequal heating of the earth
3.Shape of Basin
4. Change in temperature and salinity in high latitude