Branches of Earth Science
Name the four main branches of Earth Science.
Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, Astronomy.
What is the first step of the scientific method?
Making an observation or asking a question.
Name the four major spheres of Earth.
Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere.
What is the equator?
An imaginary line that divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at 0° latitude.
What is a model in science?
A representation of a system or process to help scientists understand and predict how it works.
Which branch studies weather and the atmosphere?
Meteorology.
What is a hypothesis?
A testable explanation or educated guess about a scientific problem.
Which sphere contains all living things?
The Biosphere.
What do lines of latitude measure?
The distance north or south of the equator.
Give one example of a model used in Earth Science.
A globe, weather map, or computer climate model.
Which branch focuses on Earth’s surface and the processes that shape it?
Geology.
Name two tools scientists use to measure temperature and air pressure.
Thermometer (temperature) and barometer (air pressure).
How do the hydrosphere and atmosphere interact?.
Through the water cycle — evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
What do contour lines on a topographic map show?
Elevation and the shape of the land (relief).
What is the metric unit for measuring volume?
Liters (L) or cubic centimeters (cm³).
What does astronomy study?
Objects beyond Earth’s atmosphere, such as stars, planets, and galaxies.
What is the difference between a theory and a law in science?
A theory explains why something happens; a law describes what happens based on repeated observations.
Describe what happens when two of Earth’s spheres interact (give an example).
Volcanic eruptions (geosphere) release gases into the atmosphere, affecting climate.
How can you tell if a slope is steep or gentle on a topographic map?
Contour lines that are close together show a steep slope; lines that are far apart show a gentle slope.
What does density measure, and what is its formula?
How much mass is contained in a given volume; formula: Density = Mass ÷ Volume.
Explain how the different branches of Earth Science work together to study our planet.
They are interconnected — for example, meteorologists study weather that affects oceans (oceanography), and geologists study volcanoes that release gases into the atmosphere (meteorology).
Describe how an Earth scientist might use the scientific method to study earthquakes.
They might observe ground movement, form a hypothesis about fault activity, collect data using seismographs, test predictions, and adjust their hypothesis.
Explain how energy from the Sun drives changes in Earth’s systems.
Solar energy powers weather, ocean currents, photosynthesis, and the water cycle.
Explain the difference between latitude and longitude and how they’re used to find a location.
Latitude measures north-south positions; longitude measures east-west. Together, they pinpoint exact coordinates on Earth.
A rock has a mass of 60 g and a volume of 20 cm³. What is its density?
D = 60 ÷ 20 = 3 g/cm³.