2/26 Earth Science update and homework due 3/12

Hi folks,

First off, NO CLASS next week!  It's spring break next week so we won't be having class.

This week we took our material on atmosphere, air and air pressure even farther.   To begin with we created a barometer which is an instrument to measure the pressure of the air.  We will be taking a look at how measuring air pressure can help predict the weather in more detail when we get back from break.

After making the barometer, we took a look at how convection currents, air pressure and the Coriolis effect combine to create global weather patterns.  Needless to say there's a lot of material here so we will come back to this in future classes.

For homework this week:

1. 

This video will show you what to do with your barometer now that you've gotten them home and just can't wait to use them.  :)  Any weather website or phone app should have information on barometric pressure.  You should see a number and an arrow.  The number isn't as important as the direction the pressure is going.  If the pressure is going up, your barometer should be pointing (or moving) in an upward direction.  If the pressure is going down, your straw should be moving down.  Compare what your barometer is doing to the actual barometric pressure at least 4 times.  Record the what the pressure is doing according the the website or app and record what your barometer is doing.  You need to take at least 2 hours between comparisons.  Lastly, record the sky, is it cloudy or clear.

2. 

Read 435 - 443 in the book.

Do the questions 1 - 24 on pages 450 and 451 in your book.

2/19 Earth Science class and homework due 2/26

Hi folks,

This week we did quite a few demos to deepen our understanding of air pressure and to understand why hot air rises.

For homework, answer the following questions.

1. Draw and label the 5 layers of the atmosphere.


2. What are three reasons our atmosphere is so important?





3. What are the two major gasses in our atmosphere?




4. Circle the right answer. When something gets hotter its molecules move (faster slower).


5. Circle the right answer. When something gets colder its molecules move (faster slower).



6. Circle the right answer. When something gets hotter its molecules get (closer farther) from one another.



7. Circle the right answer. When something gets colder its molecules get ( closer farther) from one another.



8. Circle the right answer. When something gets hotter it gets (more less) dense.




9. Circle the right answer. When something gets colder it gets (more less) dense.




10. Circle the right answers. Hot air (rises falls) because it is (more less) dense than cold air.




12. Circle the right answers. Cold air (rises falls) because it is (more less) dense than hot air.



13. Explain why the aluminum can got crushed




14. Explain why the balloon got larger in hot water and smaller in cold water.




15. Explain why the balloon went into the jar.

2/20 Earth Science Recording - Air pressure and density

Part 1

Part 2

Dress for some outside time for Earth Science today

Hi folks,

We are going to be spending some time outside today so please come dressed ready to go.

See you all soon!

Best,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

2/12 Earth Science Recording - Atmosphere

https://youtu.be/jDp74T4RJqE

2/12 Earth Science update and homework due 2/19

Hi folks,

Today we have moved on from our study of the Earth's layers and the rock cycle and have lifted off into the atmosphere.  We discussed the layers of the atmosphere and also took a look at air pressure.

For homework next week:

Read pages 426 - 432

Do questions 1 - 11 on page 448

1/5 Earth Science update and homework due 1/12

Hi folks,

Today we finished up the most recent Rock Cycle and Earth Layers block by doing our favorite "Review the Year" gameshow.  The students look through their notes, homework, and quizzes from the beginning of the year up to now and create five questions for the show.  Then each team gets a chance to answer the questions for points and fabulous prizes.  (Just kidding on the prizes.)  This makes for an excellent summary of the content we've covered so far and it's quite a bit of fun.

For homework please answer all the following questions.  They cover much of the year so please look through your notes and old quizzes for the answers.  As always, these are quite possibly going to be on an upcoming quiz so be sure to study them carefully.

1.  What is the definition of hypothesis?

2.  Give an example of a scientific hypothesis.

3.  List the 5 steps of the scientific method that we discussed in class.

4.  What is the definition of Earth Science?

5.  What is the definition of science that we used in class?

6.  What is the definition of independent variable?

7.  What is the definition of dependent variable?

8.  How many independent variables can you have in an experiment?

9.  What four things do all minerals have in common.

10.  What does an atom's mass number represent?

11.  What does the atomic number represent?

12.  What is the definition of an isotope?

13.  What is the definition of an ion?

14. Which geologic process can change any type of rock into sediment?

15.   What is the difference between extrusive and intrusive rocks?

16. .  What is the geologic process that changes sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock.

17. What does the atomic mass # represent?

18.  Why do atoms tend to have the same number of protons and electrons?

19.  Why do some atoms have decimals in their atomic mass number?  For example, carbon is 12.011?

20. What is the definition of an isotope?

21.  What is the definition of an ion?

22.  How many protons, neutrons and electrons do the following have?

a.  Na +1

b.  B -1

c.   St +2

23.  Draw the layers of the Earth.