Unit 4

1. Unit and Chapter pages-  There are 10 total  units, starting with Unit 0.  Each consists of 2-3 chapters.  

   • Each unit page should have sub-links to chapters (Ex:  APES>Unit 0 >>Chapter 1)

   • Each chapter page should include

     • CHAPTER SUMMARY:  This brief summary/reflection should be more than 5 sentences, less than 10, in your own words.  Focus on what you took away from the chapter’s big ideas/concepts.  

     • LINK TO TEXT:  A link to the chapter pdf  

     • CHAPTER FOLDER:  A private link to your chapter subfolder (carefully set these permissions so that only you and Ms. Stewart have access to the folder and docs!).  In this folder, you should have your:

       • chapter outline (Follow Chapter Outline Guidelines)

       • chapter vocabulary (optional, but helpful!)

       • chapter review questions (optional, but helpful!)

       • labs or activities from the chapter. 

     • Useful Media: Videos, articles, etc.

Study Artifacts: Links to any study materials that you found helpful when preparing for the chapter test.

Module 19: Earth initially formed as a hot, molten sphere that was bombed by debris. Heavier elements sank to the center, while lighter elements rose to the surface, creating distinct layers. Evidence from rock and fossil formations suggests that continents have moved over long periods, forming and breaking apart super continents. Plate movement, through slow, is evidenced by geological activity like earthquakes and volcanoes, driven by magma circulation within Earth's mantle. The surfacing and sinking of the lithosphere are ongoing processes, but when people live near seismic or volcanic activity, the consequences can be devastating. The location of active volcanoes is not random; 85% are found along plate boundaries. 

Module 20: Igneous rocks form from molten magma, either directly or through compression of sediments and exposure to high temperature and pressures. These rocks, classified as basaltic or granitic based on chemical composition, often contain valuable rare earth elements and metals. Weathering breaks down rocks at the Earth's surface through physical and chemical processes, involving air, water, chemical compounds, and biological agents. This process releases essential nutrients, making them available for plants and other organisms, and influences soil fertility renewal rates. Soil formation is a slow process taking hundreds to thousands of years, resulting from the weathering of rocks and the accumulation of organic matter. Several factors influence soil properties, including parent materials, climate, topography, organisms, and time, leading to diverse soil types across different environments. Soil properties determined by the proportions of sand, silt, and clay, influence water drainage, nutrient availability, and pollutant filtration. Understanding soil texture helps farmers optimize irrigation and fertilization, while also considering the soil's role in environmental protection. 

Module 21: Watershed length impacts water travel time, while slope affects water speed and erosion. Soil type and vegetation also influence water flow and erosion, with clay soils and lack of vegetation increasing erosion. Human activities impact watersheds globally, ranging from pristine to heavily populated and reach. These impacts include a dam construction, mining, increased impermeable surface and excess nutrient runoff from agriculture and waste, leading to water quality issues and ecological imbalances. 

Module 22: Uneven warming of the Earth is caused by variations in the angle of the sun's rays, the distribution of solar energy across different surface areas, and the albedo of surfaces. Areas near the equator receive more solar energy per unit area and have lower albedos, resulting in higher temperatures compared to higher latitudes. Earth's atmosphere, extending 10,000 km, is primarily nitrogen and oxygen, with trace greenhouse gases significantly impacting temperature. It's structured in five layers, each with unique properties and roles in protecting the planet and supporting life, with temperature and density varying with altitude. Atmospheric convection currents are a major factor influencing global climate cariations. These currents, driven by air density differences and pressure changes involve the movement of air that rises when warm and sinks when cool, creating circulation patterns. 

Module 23: Ocean circulation significantly influences global climates by transporting warm and cold waters across the globe. This movement, driven by factors like temperature, gravity, and winds, redistributes heat and affects regional weather patterns, with warmer waters generally leading to warmer air temperatures in coastal areas. In Southern Pacific Ocean, trade winds and the Coriolis effect drive equatorial water flow, resulting in the upwelling of cold, nutrient rich water along the western coast of South America. This upwelling is a significant factor in the region's climate and marine ecosystem. 

Link to folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15bLR6wM7yh0PLS8t-E-h_c9AoB3X1QOu