Unit 4
Earth Systems and Resources
Embedded Files
10-15% of AP Exam
Unit Focus:
Unit Focus:
This unit explores earth systems and its resources that support life. Geological changes that occur to earth systems at convergent and divergent boundaries can result in the creation of mountains, island arcs, earthquakes, volcanoes, and seafloor spreading. Soils are a resource, formed when parent material is weathered, transported, and deposited. The atmosphere is another resource, composed of certain percentages of major gases. Climate is influenced by the sun’s energy, Earth’s geography, and the movement of air and water. In subsequent units, you will examine how humans use natural resources and the impact on the environment.
Exam Prep:
Exam Prep:
On the AP Exam, you must be able to explain representations of convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries present on a global map. To practice this,
you will examine global maps to identify the distribution of global plate boundaries. You will also practice analyzing characteristics of soil. You will perform guided inquiry labs related to soil analysis and formation. Data show a strong correlation between the strength of students’ conceptual understanding and their experience performing hands-on labs. You will also practice identifying how climate factors influence the rate of soil formation and should indicate if the factor speeds up or slows down the rate of formation.
Essential Questions:
Essential Questions:
How do Earth’s systems interact with one another and result in a state of balance over time?
What effect does the energy of the sun have on most of the Earth’s atmosphere?
This Unit Focuses on Practicing the following Science Practices:
This Unit Focuses on Practicing the following Science Practices:
SP 1 Concept Explanation: Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format.
SP 2 Visual Representations: Analyze visual representations of environmental concepts and processes.
SP 4 Scientific Experiments: Analyze research studies that test environmental principles. (introduced but not assessed).
SP 6 Mathematical Routines: Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts.
SP 7 Environmental Solutions: Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems. (Introduced but not assessed).
Assessment
Assessment
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
to show understanding a student should be able to:
4.1 Describe the geological changes and events that occur at convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries.
4.1 Describe the geological changes and events that occur at convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries.
Essential Knowledge:
Convergent boundaries can result in the creation of mountains, island arcs, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
Divergent boundaries can result in seafloor spreading, rift valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes.
Transform boundaries can result in earthquakes.
Maps that show the global distribution of plate boundaries can be used to determine the location of volcanoes, island arcs, earthquakes, hot spots, and faults.
An earthquake occurs when stress overcomes a locked fault, releasing stored energy.
Resources and Book References:
Module 19 (pg 229-238)
4.2 Describe the characteristics and formation of soil.
4.2 Describe the characteristics and formation of soil.
Essential Knowledge:
Soils are formed when parent material is weathered, transported, and deposited.
Soils are generally categorized by horizons based on their composition and organic material.
Soils can be eroded by winds or water. Protecting soils can protect water quality as soils effectively filter and clean water that moves through them.
Resources and Book References:
Module 20 (239-252)
4.3 Describe similarities and differences between properties of different soil types.
4.3 Describe similarities and differences between properties of different soil types.
Essential Knowledge:
Water holding capacity—the total amount of water soil can hold—varies with different soil types. Water retention contributes to land productivity and fertility of soils.
The particle size and composition of each soil horizon can affect the porosity, permeability, and fertility of the soil.
There are a variety of methods to test the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil that can aid in a variety of decisions, such as irrigation and fertilizer requirements.
A soil texture triangle is a diagram that allows for the identification and comparison of soil types based on their percentage of clay, silt and sand.
Resources and Book References:
Module 20 (239-252)
4.4 Describe the structure and composition of the Earth’s atmosphere.
4.4 Describe the structure and composition of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Essential Knowledge:
The atmosphere is made up of major gases, each with its own relative abundance.
The layers of the atmosphere are based on temperature gradients and include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
Resources and Book References:
Module 22 (258-261)
4.5 Explain how environmental factors can result in atmospheric circulation.
4.5 Explain how environmental factors can result in atmospheric circulation.
Essential Knowledge:
Global wind patterns primarily result from the most intense solar radiation arriving at the equator, resulting in density differences and the Coriolis effect.
Resources and Book References:
Module 22 (pg 262-263)
4.6 Describe the characteristics of a watershed.
4.6 Describe the characteristics of a watershed.
Essential Knowledge:
Characteristics of a given watershed include its area, length, slope, soil, vegetation types, and divides with adjoining watersheds.
Resources and Book References:
Module 21 (253-257)
4.7 Explain how the sun’s energy affects the Earth’s surface.
4.7 Explain how the sun’s energy affects the Earth’s surface.
Essential Knowledge:
Incoming solar radiation (insolation) is the Earth’s main source of energy and is dependent on season and latitude.
The angle of the sun’s rays determines the intensity of the solar radiation. Due to the shape of the Earth, the latitude that is directly horizontal to the solar radiation receives the most intensity.
The highest solar radiation per unit area is received at the equator and decreases toward the poles.
The solar radiation received at a location on the Earth’s surface varies seasonally, with the most radiation received during the location’s longest summer day and the least on the shortest winter day.
The tilt of Earth’s axis of rotation causes the Earth’s seasons and the number of hours of daylight in a particular location on the Earth’s surface.
Resources and Book References:
Module 22 (264-270)
4.8 Describe how the Earth’s geography affects weather and climate.
4.8 Describe how the Earth’s geography affects weather and climate.
Essential Knowledge:
Weather and climate are affected not only by the sun’s energy but by geologic and geographic factors, such as mountains and ocean temperature.
A rain shadow is a region of land that has become drier because a higher elevation area blocks precipitation from reaching the land.
Resources and Book References:
Module 23 (pg 271-273)
4.9 Describe the environmental changes and effects that result from El Niño or La Niña events (El Niño–Southern Oscillation).
4.9 Describe the environmental changes and effects that result from El Niño or La Niña events (El Niño–Southern Oscillation).
Essential Knowledge:
El Niño and La Niña are phenomena associated with changing ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. These phenomena can cause global changes to rainfall, wind, and ocean circulation patterns.
El Niño and La Niña are influenced by geological and geographic factors and can affect different locations in different ways.
Resources and Book References:
Module 23 (pg 274-279)
Faculty Lecture
Andy Friedland
Dartmouth College
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