Earth & Space

The Universe 1. Describe how objects in the solar system are in regular and

predictable motions that explain such phenomena as days,

years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles.

2. Explain that gravitational force is the dominant force

determining motions in the solar system and in particular

keeps the planets in orbit around the sun.

3. Compare the orbits and composition of comets and

asteroids with that of Earth.

4. Describe the effect that asteroids or meteoroids have when

moving through space and sometimes entering planetary

atmospheres (e.g., meteor-"shooting star" and meteorite).

5. Explain that the universe consists of billions of galaxies

that are classified by shape.

6. Explain interstellar distances are measured in light years

(e.g., the nearest star beyond the sun is 4.3 light years

away).

7. Examine the life cycle of a star and predict the next likely

stage of a star.

8. Name and describe tools used to study the universe (e.g.,

telescopes, probes, satellites and spacecraft).

Earth Systems 9. Describe the interior structure of Earth and Earth's crust as

divided into tectonic plates riding on top of the slow

moving currents of magma in the mantle.

10. Explain that most major geological events (e.g.,

earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hot spots and mountain

building) result from plate motion.

11. Use models to analyze the size and shape of Earth, its

surface and its interior (e.g., globes, topographic maps,

satellite images).

12. Explain that some processes involved in the rock cycle are

directly related to thermal energy and forces in the mantle

that drive plate motions.

13. Describe how landforms are created through a

combination of destructive (e.g., weathering and erosion)

and constructive processes (e.g., crustal deformation,

volcanic eruptions and deposition of sediment).

14. Explain that folding, faulting and uplifting can rearrange

the rock layers so the youngest is not always found on top.

15. Illustrate how the three primary types of plate boundaries

(transform, divergent and convergent) cause different

landforms (e.g., mountains, volcanoes and ocean trenches).