Earth and Space

ES1

Scientific understanding, including models and theories, are contestable and are refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community.

a. outline some of the major features contained in the universe, including galaxies, stars, solar systems and nebulae

b. describe, using examples, some technological developments that have advanced scientific understanding about the universe

Telescope - Advances in auxiliary instrumentationTelescope - Telescope - Advances in auxiliary instrumentation: Almost as important as the telescope itself are the auxiliary instruments that the astronomer uses to exploit the light received at the focal plane. Examples of such instruments are the camera, spectrograph, photomultiplier tube, charge-coupled device (CCD), and charge injection device (CID). Each of these instrument types is discussed below. American John Draper photographed the Moon as early as 1840 by applying the daguerreotype process. The French physicists A.-H.-L. Fizeau and J.-B.-L. Foucault succeeded in making a photographic image of the Sun in 1845. Five years later astronomers at Harvard Observatory took the first photographs of the stars. The use

spaceplace.nasa.gov/telescopes/en/#:~:text=A%20telescope%20is%20a%20tool,light%20from%20the%20night%20sky.&text=Light%20is%20then%20concentrated%20by,we%20look%20into%20the%20telescope.

c. use appropriate scales to describe differences in sizes of and distances between structures making up the universe

It took centuries, but we now know the size of the UniverseThe sheer scale of the cosmos is hard to imagine, and even harder to put an accurate figure on. But thanks to some ingenious physics we now have a good idea of just how big it is

Measuring the Universe

d. identify that all objects exert a force of gravity on all other objects in the universe

Gravity - Newton’s law of gravityGravity - Gravity - Newton’s law of gravity: Newton discovered the relationship between the motion of the Moon and the motion of a body falling freely on Earth. By his dynamical and gravitational theories, he explained Kepler’s laws and established the modern quantitative science of gravitation. Newton assumed the existence of an attractive force between all massive bodies, one that does not require bodily contact and that acts at a distance. By invoking his law of inertia (bodies not acted upon by a force move at constant speed in a straight line), Newton concluded that a force exerted by Earth on the Moon is needed to keep it

e. use scientific evidence to outline how the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe and its age

schoolsobservatory.org/learn/astro/cosmos/bigbang/bb_evid

f. outline how scientific thinking about the origin of the universe is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community

ES2 The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity and continental movement.

a. outline how the theory of plate tectonics changed ideas about the structure of the Earth and continental movement over geological time

b. relate movements of the Earth's plates to mantle convection currents and gravitational forces

c. outline how the theory of plate tectonics explains earthquakes, volcanic activity and formation of new landforms

d. describe how some technological developments have increased scientific understanding of global patterns in geological activity, including in the Asia-Pacific region

ES3 People use scientific knowledge to evaluate claims, explanations or predictions in relation to interactions involving the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

a. outline how global systems rely on interactions involving the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, including the carbon cycle

b. describe some impacts of natural events, including cyclones, volcanic eruptions or earthquakes, on the Earth's spheres

c. evaluate scientific evidence of some current issues affecting society that are the result of human activity on global systems, eg the greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion, effect of climate change on sea levels, long-term effects of waste management and loss of biodiversity

d. discuss the reasons different groups in society may use or weight criteria differently to evaluate claims, explanations or predictions in making decisions about contemporary issues involving interactions of the Earth's spheres

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Earth and Space

ES1

Scientific understanding, including models and theories, are contestable and are refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community.

Galaxies

Stars

Solar System

Nebulae