Chapter 1
Introduction to Planet “Earth”
Overview
Chapter 1 is an introduction to Earth and its oceans, including a discussion of the history of ocean
exploration. The scientific method is presented in this chapter so that students will have a
framework for understanding the nature of scientific inquiry. Theories that describe the origin of
the solar system, Earth, the atmosphere, and the oceans are presented in addition to a discussion of
the origin of life on Earth. The chapter is completed with a presentation of the geologic time scale
and radiometric age dating.
Essential Concepts
1.1 Compare the characteristics of Earth’s oceans
1.2 Discuss how early exploration of the oceans was achieved
1.3 Describe the nature of scientific inquiry
1.4 Explain how Earth and the solar system were formed
1.5 Explain how Earth’s atmosphere and ocean were formed
1.6 Discuss why life is thought to have originated in the oceans
1.7 Demonstrate an understanding of how old Earth is
Chapter Outline
1.1 How Many Oceans Exist on Earth?
1.1.1 The Four Principal Oceans, plus One
, 1.1.2 Oceans versus Seas: What Are the Seven Seas?
1.1.3 Comparing the Oceans to the Continents
1.2 How Was Early Exploration of the Oceans Achieved?
1.2.1 Early History
1.2.1.1 Pacific Navigators
Diving Deeper – Historical Feature: How do sailors know where they are at sea?
1.2.1.2 European Navigators
1.2.2 The Middle Ages
1.2.3 The Age of Discovery in Europe
Students Sometimes Ask…
1.2.4 The Beginning of Voyaging for Science
1.2.5 History of Oceanography…To Be Continued
1.3 What Is the Nature of Scientific Inquiry?
1.3.1 Observations
1.3.2 Hypothesis
1.3.3 Testing
Students Sometimes Ask…
1.3.4 Theory
1.3.5 Theories and the Truth
1.4 How Were Earth and the Solar System Formed?
1.4.1 The Nebular Hypothesis
1.4.2 Protoearth
1.4.3 Density and Density Stratification
1.4.4 Earth’s Internal Structure
1.4.4.1 Chemical Composition versus Physical Properties
1.4.4.2 Chemical Composition
Students Sometimes Ask…
1.4.4.3 Physical Properties
1.4.5 Near the Surface
1.4.5.1 Lithosphere
1.4.5.2 Oceanic versus Continental Crust
1.4.5.3 Asthenosphere
1.4.6 Isostatic Adjustment
1.5 How Were Earth’s Atmosphere and Oceans Formed?
1.5.1 Origin of Earth’s Atmosphere
1.5.2 Origin of Earth’s Oceans
1.5.2.1 The Development of Ocean Salinity
Students Sometimes Ask…
1.6 Did Life Begin in the Oceans?
1.6.1 The Importance of Oxygen to Life
1.6.2 Stanley Miller’s Experiment
Diving Deeper – Historical Feature: The voyage of HMS Beagle
1.6.3 Evolution and Natural Selection
1.6.4 Plants and Animals Evolve
1.6.4.1 Photosynthesis and Respiration
1.6.5 The Great Oxidation Event/Oxygen Crisis
, 1.6.6 Changes to Earth’s Atmosphere
1.7 How Old Is Earth?
1.7.1 Radiometric Age Dating
1.7.2 The Geologic Time Scale
Essential Concepts: A Review
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Describe the principal oceans of Earth, including the following:
A. location
B. relative size
C. land forms that border the ocean
2. Name the deepest ocean trench and describe its exploration by humans.
3. Discuss early ocean exploration and include the contributions of:
A. early Pacific islanders (4000 BC–900 AD)
B. the Kon Tiki voyage
C. Phoenicians
D. Greeks
E. Romans
4. Describe the contributions to oceanic exploration during the Middle Ages and the Ming
Dynasty, including the:
A. Arabs
B. Vikings
, Ming Dynasty (1405–1433)
5. Elaborate on the contributions to oceanic exploration made by European explorers during
the Renaissance (Age of Discovery), including:
A. Prince Henry the Navigator
B. Vasco da Gama
C. Christopher Columbus
D. John Cabot
E. Vasco Nùñez de Balboa
F. Ferdinand Magellan
G. Juan Sebastian del Caño
1. Discuss the contributions of James Cook to early ocean science.
2. List and describe the systematic steps of the scientific method.
3. Distinguish between a hypothesis and a theory.
4. Describe the formation of the solar system as outlined by the nebular hypothesis.
5. Compare and contrast Protoearth and modern Earth.
6. Describe density stratification in Earth and the resultant chemical structure, including the:
A. crust
B. mantle
C. core
Introduction to Planet “Earth”
Overview
Chapter 1 is an introduction to Earth and its oceans, including a discussion of the history of ocean
exploration. The scientific method is presented in this chapter so that students will have a
framework for understanding the nature of scientific inquiry. Theories that describe the origin of
the solar system, Earth, the atmosphere, and the oceans are presented in addition to a discussion of
the origin of life on Earth. The chapter is completed with a presentation of the geologic time scale
and radiometric age dating.
Essential Concepts
1.1 Compare the characteristics of Earth’s oceans
1.2 Discuss how early exploration of the oceans was achieved
1.3 Describe the nature of scientific inquiry
1.4 Explain how Earth and the solar system were formed
1.5 Explain how Earth’s atmosphere and ocean were formed
1.6 Discuss why life is thought to have originated in the oceans
1.7 Demonstrate an understanding of how old Earth is
Chapter Outline
1.1 How Many Oceans Exist on Earth?
1.1.1 The Four Principal Oceans, plus One
, 1.1.2 Oceans versus Seas: What Are the Seven Seas?
1.1.3 Comparing the Oceans to the Continents
1.2 How Was Early Exploration of the Oceans Achieved?
1.2.1 Early History
1.2.1.1 Pacific Navigators
Diving Deeper – Historical Feature: How do sailors know where they are at sea?
1.2.1.2 European Navigators
1.2.2 The Middle Ages
1.2.3 The Age of Discovery in Europe
Students Sometimes Ask…
1.2.4 The Beginning of Voyaging for Science
1.2.5 History of Oceanography…To Be Continued
1.3 What Is the Nature of Scientific Inquiry?
1.3.1 Observations
1.3.2 Hypothesis
1.3.3 Testing
Students Sometimes Ask…
1.3.4 Theory
1.3.5 Theories and the Truth
1.4 How Were Earth and the Solar System Formed?
1.4.1 The Nebular Hypothesis
1.4.2 Protoearth
1.4.3 Density and Density Stratification
1.4.4 Earth’s Internal Structure
1.4.4.1 Chemical Composition versus Physical Properties
1.4.4.2 Chemical Composition
Students Sometimes Ask…
1.4.4.3 Physical Properties
1.4.5 Near the Surface
1.4.5.1 Lithosphere
1.4.5.2 Oceanic versus Continental Crust
1.4.5.3 Asthenosphere
1.4.6 Isostatic Adjustment
1.5 How Were Earth’s Atmosphere and Oceans Formed?
1.5.1 Origin of Earth’s Atmosphere
1.5.2 Origin of Earth’s Oceans
1.5.2.1 The Development of Ocean Salinity
Students Sometimes Ask…
1.6 Did Life Begin in the Oceans?
1.6.1 The Importance of Oxygen to Life
1.6.2 Stanley Miller’s Experiment
Diving Deeper – Historical Feature: The voyage of HMS Beagle
1.6.3 Evolution and Natural Selection
1.6.4 Plants and Animals Evolve
1.6.4.1 Photosynthesis and Respiration
1.6.5 The Great Oxidation Event/Oxygen Crisis
, 1.6.6 Changes to Earth’s Atmosphere
1.7 How Old Is Earth?
1.7.1 Radiometric Age Dating
1.7.2 The Geologic Time Scale
Essential Concepts: A Review
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Describe the principal oceans of Earth, including the following:
A. location
B. relative size
C. land forms that border the ocean
2. Name the deepest ocean trench and describe its exploration by humans.
3. Discuss early ocean exploration and include the contributions of:
A. early Pacific islanders (4000 BC–900 AD)
B. the Kon Tiki voyage
C. Phoenicians
D. Greeks
E. Romans
4. Describe the contributions to oceanic exploration during the Middle Ages and the Ming
Dynasty, including the:
A. Arabs
B. Vikings
, Ming Dynasty (1405–1433)
5. Elaborate on the contributions to oceanic exploration made by European explorers during
the Renaissance (Age of Discovery), including:
A. Prince Henry the Navigator
B. Vasco da Gama
C. Christopher Columbus
D. John Cabot
E. Vasco Nùñez de Balboa
F. Ferdinand Magellan
G. Juan Sebastian del Caño
1. Discuss the contributions of James Cook to early ocean science.
2. List and describe the systematic steps of the scientific method.
3. Distinguish between a hypothesis and a theory.
4. Describe the formation of the solar system as outlined by the nebular hypothesis.
5. Compare and contrast Protoearth and modern Earth.
6. Describe density stratification in Earth and the resultant chemical structure, including the:
A. crust
B. mantle
C. core
