HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
June 25, 2004 Abstract As Dorothy so aptly said in “The Wizard of Oz” “There’s no place like home”. And even with all her faults, Earth is our home. This paper will review the planet Earth. Of particular importance will be the various properties of the planet Earth, descriptions of the Earth’s interior/exterior, how changes in the Earth’s surface affect us weather-wise, etc., as well as, how we’ve managed to learn about it. Earth Properties/Description/Explanation (Above picture of Earth from www.dustbunny.com ) Some quick Earth Facts; Distance from the Sun is approximately 93 million miles. The Earth only has one moon unlike some of the other planets in our solar system. The diameter of the Earth is 7,600 miles and our name comes from England and Germany. Most of the Earths surface is covered with water. (www.dustbunny.com) The Earths composition is 77% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon, and the percentage of water varies. The average surface temperature on Earth is 59 degrees Fahrenheit. (Bennett, et.al. p295) Interior descriptions- Since its inception the Earth has undergone many and various changes. (Bennett, et.al. p255) Important information can be found by comparing the overall density of the Earth to its surface rock density. The average density is found by knowing the planet’s mass and size. (p256) d=m/v. Where d is density and m is mass and v is volume. More information can be found from the Earths magnetic fields, gravity measurements, and surface rock. We know that gravity differs slightly from location to location on the Earth and that this gravitational change can provide us with additional information/insight about the Earths interior structure as well as an in-depth study of the three basic terrestrial layers. (p256) The three layers are core, mantle, and crust. To take a child’s perspective, cutting the Earth in half we might associate it with an artichoke and its many varying layers (called terrestrial layers). (www.dustbunny.com) Terrestrial layers can be located within the Earth according to density. Core, being the densest and deepest, consists of materials such as iron and/or nickel. Mantle, in the middle, made up of mostly rocky materials like silicon and oxygen. And crust (where we live), which has the lowest density and is predominantly granite or basalt in origin. (Bennett, et.al. p256) Exterior descriptions- The exterior of the Earths surface varies even more than its interior. On her exterior we have vast oceans, lakes, rivers, and seas, deserts and rain forests, mountains and beaches, etc. All surface features come from the four major geological processes. (Bennett, et.al. p263) Those specific surface features come from impact cratering, volcanism, tectonics, or erosion. Impact cratering happens by asteroids or comets that strike the Earths surface creating dents or holes. Volcanism comes from the eruption of lava or molten rock within the Earths interior. Tectonics is caused by internal stress and is a disruption of the Earths surface. Erosion is tearing down or building up of geological features by water, ice, wind, or any other planetary phenomena. (p263) Some examples would be; The Grand Canyon was carved from water, wind erosion has built the dunes on the western seaboard of Florida and other similar locales, and glaciers created many of our mountain formations during the ice age. (p271) Weather and changes in the Earths surface- Conditions in the atmosphere and on the Earths surface changes frequently. Those changes are termed weather and climate. Like astronomy and astrology they are similar, but not the same. Definitions for each are below and provided by www.m-w.com. Main Entry: 1weath•er Pronunciation: 'we-[th]&r Function: noun Etymology: Middle English weder, from Old English; akin to Old High German wetar weather, Old Church Slavonic vetru wind 1 : the state of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness 2 : state or vicissitude of life or fortune 3 : disagreeable atmospheric conditions: as a : RAIN, STORM b : cold air with dampness Main Entry: cli•mate Pronunciation: 'klI-m&t Function: noun Etymology: Middle English climat, from Middle French, from Late Latin climat-, clima, from Greek klimat-, klima inclination, lat., climate, from klinein to lean -- more at LEAN 1 : a region of the earth having specified climatic conditions 2 : the average course or condition of the weather at a place usually over a period of years as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity, and precipitation b : the prevailing set of conditions (as of temperature and humidity) indoors 3 : the prevailing influence or environmental conditions characterizing a group or period : ATMOSPHERE Granted weather and climate can be extremely difficult to distinguish between on a human scale, but from the definitions above we can tell that one has to do with the conditions themselves and the other with the duration of time associated with those conditions. Specific changes associated with weather and climate can be found in something as simple as clouds and/or precipitation. When we have a cloudy day on Earth we experience less sunlight and cooler temperatures. Clouds can also help weather forecasters predict precipitation in the form of rain, fog, snow, frost, or ice. (Bennett, et.al. p312-14) How we learn about the Earth- Much of what we know now has come from theories about the Earths past, the Law’s of Physics, biology, and observation. (Bennett, et.al. p414- 18) Scientists have found fossils, studied them, and learned how this and other formations have shaped what we and the Earth currently are. They have pieced together how continents separated, oceans were formed, and how people came to inhabit the Earth. Some of this information has been accomplished/compiled by comparative planetology. (p198) There are three basic ways that comparative planetology has shown its worth. Those would be understanding, perspective, and custodial care. By learning and understanding things about other solar systems we can apply that learning to our own solar system and determine if there may be life on other planets and how we can be in contact with that life. Perspective gained from this learning helps us to, hopefully, become better custodians of our own planet by applying that learning to the processes necessary to see this to fruition. We have delved into the history and origin of our solar system teaching us how we, and the other planets, came to exist. (Bennett, et.al. p198) Conclusion I’ve presented some Earth facts, described the Earths interior and exterior with elementary examples, shown how weather and climate have affected the Earths surface, and highlighted how we have learned about the Earth. We’ve touched on volcanism, tectonics, and erosion and how they have made the Earth as we know it today. I hope you have enjoyed the journey. Reference: www.dustbunny.com www.m-w.com Bennett, et.al. (2004) The Cosmic Perspective (Third Edition) Pearson Education, Inc., San Francisco, CA ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. She attended Parkland College and the University of Illinois before graduating from the University of Phoenix with her degree in Business Management. Currently she is working on her master’s degree in Organizational Management while concurrently pursuing her lofty writing ambitions. Ms. Malsbury moved to south Florida in 1983 and resides between the Keys and Apalachicola, allowing her to experience the southernmost and nearly northernmost beauty in the state of Florida. Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. Michelle has been a bartender, real estate agent, flight attendant, beauty contestant, yacht broker, and commodities broker over the years, but writing is her passion. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, waterskiing, hiking, and fishing as well as reading, music, playing with her pets, and writing. “Three Years With Adonis” is the first to be published of several books that she has written. In addition to “Three Years With Adonis”, she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. "Three Years With Adonis" will be available eary 2005. Email Michelle Malsbury: abuchez@mchsi.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
