Earth & Environmental Science Unit 3: Planet Earth The Planet of Life

1. Earth & Environmental ScienceUnit 3: Planet Earth The Planet of Life Mr. Gibson – Classroom Discussion & Activities Room 213 Laboratory Exercises Room 214 Unit Length Estimated 10 days Unit Spanning 10-October through 19-October 2011

2. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 1. Review prior knowledge by being able to locate the Earth within the solar system;

3. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 2. Identify the concept of axial tilt and then compare & contrast earth’s with [that] of the two nearest “terrestrial planets” Mars & Venus;

4. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 6. Define and use the terms associated with this unit.

5. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 1. Review prior knowledge by being able to locate the Earth within the solar system; Can you indicate which planet is Earth?

6. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 1. Review prior knowledge by being able to locate the Earth within the solar system; Yes! There it is! The 3rd planet from the sun.

7. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 2. Identify the concept of axial tilt and then compare & contrast earth’s with [that] of the two nearest “terrestrial planets” Mars & Venus Image source url – http://www.calgary.rasc.ca

8. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life If we use our right hand; first “point” and then “wrap” our four fingers in the direction of the Earth’s rotation… FIRST!! – We have to define the direction of rotation for planets. To do this we will use the convention called the “Right-Hand-Rule”

9. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Next; hold our thumb straight up at a 90 degree angle to our curved, wrapped fingers… FIRST!! – We have to define the direction of rotation for planets. To do this we will use the convention called the “Right-Hand-Rule”

10. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life … our thumb will be pointing to the Earth’s geographic “north pole” (not to be confused with a “magnetic” north pole). FIRST!! – We have to define the direction of rotation for planets. To do this we will use the convention called the “Right-Hand-Rule”

11. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Now that we have defined the geographic “north pole” for Earth; it is also like all the other planets – they all rotate about the sun on an “orbital plane” (or disk). http://mistupid.com/astronomy/orbits.htm

12. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life If the planet’s “geographic north pole” is anything other than perpendicular to the orbital plane about the sun… it is said to have an “axial tilt” –or- “obliquity”.

13. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Therefore; a planet’s axial tilt –or- its “obliquity” is the angle that its geographical north pole [is] from its being at 90 degrees –or- perpendicular to its orbital plane about the sun. 1) Planet’s orbital plane around the sun. 2) An axis that is perpendicular to the orbital plane.

14. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Therefore; a planet’s axial tilt –or- its “obliquity” is the angle that its geographical north pole [is] from its being at 90 degrees –or- perpendicular to its orbital plane about the sun. 2) An axis that is perpendicular to the orbital plane. 3) Planet’s geographical “north pole” – using the “right-hand-rule” showing it to be NOT 90 degrees, but at some angle.

15. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life For the planet Earth; it’s “axial” tilt –or- “obliquity” is 23.4 degrees from the vertical [as] the gif animation on the left shows.

16. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life With our thumb pointing to the Earth’s geographic “north pole” AND our finger-tips pointing & wrapping in the direction of the Earth’s rotation… NEXT – we will return to the “Right-Hand-Rule”

17. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life … IF… our fingers (hence the Earth’s direction of rotation is in the SAME direction of the Earth’s orbital travel about the sun… NEXT – we will return to the “Right-Hand-Rule”

18. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life … IF… our fingers (hence the Earth’s direction of rotation is in the SAME direction of the Earth’s orbital travel about the sun NEXT – we will return to the “Right-Hand-Rule” Direction of planetary “axial” rotation Direction of planetary orbit around the sun

19. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life … then the planet’s “axial” rotation is said to be PRO-grade. If the “axial” rotation is in the OPPOSITE direction of its travel about the sun it is RETROgrade. NEXT – we will return to the “Right-Hand-Rule” Direction of planetary “axial” rotation Direction of planetary orbit around the sun

20. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life PRO-grade planetary “axial” rotation RETRO-grade planetary “axial” rotation Direction of planetary orbit around the sun

21. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life So let’s check what we’ve learned so far… Earth is a planet that has a “___________ (*) rotation and a _______degree tilt to its (“__________”)rotational plane about the sun.

22. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives (2) – Compare & Contrast Earth’s Axial Tilt (to the orbital plane) [to] the two nearest “terrestrial” planets Mars & Venus Earth is a planet that has a “PROgrade (*) rotation and a _______degree tilt to its (“__________”) -or- rotational plane about the sun.

23. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives (2) – Compare & Contrast Earth’s Axial Tilt (to the orbital plane) [to] the two nearest “terrestrial” planets Mars & Venus Earth is a planet that has a “PROgrade (*) rotation and a 23.4 degree tilt to its (“__________”) –or- rotational plane about the sun.

24. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives (2) – Compare & Contrast Earth’s Axial Tilt (to the orbital plane) [to] the two nearest “terrestrial” planets Mars & Venus Earth is a planet that has a “PROgrade (*) rotation and a 23.4 degree tilt to its (“obliquity ”) -or- rotational plane about the sun.

25. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Okay; let’s take a look at the “terrestrial” planet Mars –and then – Venus.

26. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Mars, like Earth is a “rocky” or Terrestrial Planet.

27. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Reviewing prior knowledge – can you locate Mars within the solar system? Can you indicate which planet is Earth?

28. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Reviewing prior knowledge – can you locate Mars within the solar system? Can you indicate which planet is Earth? If you had said it was the 4th planet out from the sun you’d be correct.

29. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Mars’ “obliquity” or axial tilt is very close to Earth’s at 29. 15 degrees. Its axial rotation with respect to its orbital plane about the sun is PRO-grade as well.

30. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life And last; let’s take a look at the “terrestrial” planet Venus.

31. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Venus too is a “rocky” or “terrestrial” planet.

32. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Reviewing prior knowledge – can you locate Venus within the solar system? Can you indicate which planet is Earth?

33. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Reviewing prior knowledge – can you locate Venus within the solar system? Can you indicate which planet is Earth? If you had said it was the 2nd planet out from the sun you’d be correct.

34. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Venus is a bit “odd” in terms of “obliquity” [as] it has “slipped” on its axial rotational orbit quite a bit.

35. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Venus’ “obliquity” is 177 degrees.

36. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life And because Venus’ axis of rotation has slipped so much -- its rotational motion with respect to its orbital plane about the sun is classified as RETRO-grade.

37. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life So let’s review quickly – Mars is a planet that has a “_________ rotation and a _____degree tilt to its (“obliquity ”) –or- rotational plane about the sun. Mars

38. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life So let’s review quickly – Mars is a planet that has a “_Prograde__ rotation and a _____degree tilt to its (“obliquity ”) –or- rotational plane about the sun. Mars

39. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life So let’s review quickly – Mars is a planet that has a “_Prograde__ rotation and a _29.15__degree tilt to its (“obliquity ”) –or- rotational plane about the sun. Mars

40. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Venus is a planet that has a “_______”_ rotation and a ________degree tilt to its (_________) –or- rotational plane about the sun.

41. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Venus is a planet that has a “_Retrograde__ rotation and a ________degree tilt to its (__________) –or- rotational plane about the sun.

42. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Venus is a planet that has a “_Prograde__ rotation and a _177__degree tilt to its (___________) –or- rotational plane about the sun.

43. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Venus is a planet that has a “_Prograde__ rotation and a _177__degree tilt to its (“obliquity”) –or- rotational plane about the sun.

44. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 2. Identify the concept of axial tilt and then compare & contrast earth’s with [that] of the two nearest “terrestrial planets” Mars & Venus Mars Image source url – http://www.calgary.rasc.ca

45. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 2. Identify the concept of axial tilt and then compare & contrast earth’s with [that] of the two nearest “terrestrial planets” Mars & Venus Mars Venus Image source url – http://www.calgary.rasc.ca

46. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Retrograde Prograde Section 1.1 – Planet of Life – Informal Assessment (Drag n Drop): Objectives 1 & 2: 4th 29.15 deg Retrograde 2nd 177 deg. 23.4 deg 3rd Prograde Image source url – http://www.calgary.rasc.ca

47. Earth & Environmental SciencesUnit 3: Planet EarthThe Planet of Life Section 1.1 – Planet of Life Objectives: 2. Identify the concept of axial tilt and then compare & contrast earth’s with [that] of the two nearest “terrestrial planets” Mars & Venus Objective 1 & 2 Summary Table Image source url – http://www.calgary.rasc.ca

48. Orbital plane of rotation Retrograde Obliquity Right-hand thumb rule Geographic North Pole Pro-grade Terrestrial

49. Obliquity Pro-grade Right-hand thumb rule Retrograde Geographic North Pole Terrestrial Orbital plane of rotation