Investigations in Earth and Space Science Semester A Examination Test Description Length: 2 hours Items: 56 SR (85%), 2 BCRs (15%) Unit Approximate Number of Selected Response Items IESS Skills and Processes 10 Fluid Circulation and Solar Energy 24 Astronomy 22 Totals 56 The vocabulary terms and objectives are grouped into units for your convenience. Some items may occur in multiple units during the semester. The vocabulary includes terms that students may encounter when reading examination items. The vocabulary list is provided to support the use of common language in the application and analysis of the concepts in the listed objectives. This study guide should be used throughout semester instruction to reflect on learning and organize materials to aid in the on-going review of learning. Skills and Processes balance conclusion data analysis dependent variable density graduated cylinder hypothesis independent variable pattern pi graph prediction procedure ratio range sample size scientific model scientific notation trend Fluid Circulation and Solar Energy Absorption air pressure albedo angle of incoming solar radiation atmosphere biosphere bottom current circulation cloud coverage conduction convection Coriolis effect density-driven currents El Niño energy budget energy transfer equator equinox heat transfer high pressure hydrosphere infrared La Niña latitude low pressure monsoon Northern Hemisphere- Prevailing winds radiation reflection revolution rotation seasons solstice surface current Southern Hemisphere water cycle wind-driven currents Astronomy astronomical unit aurora Big Bang black hole coronal mass ejection/solar flare degrees Kelvin eclipse elliptical orbit giant star Kepler s Laws lunar eclipse main sequence star nebula Newton s Universal Law of Gravitation nuclear fusion planetary probe protostar radio telescope revolution rotation satellite-based solar eclipse spectrometer star cycle sunspots supernova telescope tides white dwarf star Investigations in Earth and Space Science Student Review 1 MCPS
Investigations in Earth and Space Science Semester A Examination Upon successful completion of Semester A, the student should be able to: Earth Space Systems Skills and Processes form a working hypothesis. test a working hypothesis. select appropriate materials to conduct an investigation. identify appropriate methods for conducting an investigation. use relationships discovered in the lab to explain observations outside the lab. analyze data to make predictions, decisions, or draw conclusions. describe trends revealed by data. use analyzed data to confirm, modify, or reject a hypothesis. interpret graphics such as maps, graphs, and satellite images. read a technical selection and interpret it appropriately. describe similarities and differences when explaining concepts and/or principles. use ratio and proportion to solve problems. express large quantities using scientific notation. Solar Energy and Fluid Circulation identify the most likely method of heat energy transfer by water in the atmosphere. describe how differences in the density of liquids affect circulation. describe how pressure gradients affect atmospheric circulation. describe the changes in pressure associated with altitude. given a map, predict the direction of movement of a low and high pressure area. explain how changes in solar energy affect atmospheric circulation. use rainfall data to predict a characteristic of a geographic region. describe ways that the atmospheric and oceanic circulations influence each other. describe how the change from La Niña to El Niño affects the ocean and atmosphere. identify how differences in density affect the movement of water. identify how ocean currents are affected by the Coriolis effect. identify how wind direction is affected by the Coriolis effect. explain the effect of various land surfaces on incoming solar energy. compare and contrast the effect of land and water surfaces on incoming solar energy. explain the cause of Earth s seasons. describe how Sun angle and length of daylight change from season to season at any location. relate changes in Sun angle and length of daylight to seasonal temperature changes. describe how temperature near various surfaces changes through the day-night cycle. Astronomy identify the astronomical instrument best suited to a particular task in studying the Universe. describe the advantage of satellite-based instruments and space probes over ground-based instruments in studying the Universe. apply Kepler s Laws to the orbits of objects in our solar system. follow the path of energy from the Sun s core to its surface. describe the processes that produce and distribute solar wind particles into space. analyze the pattern of sunspots on the surface of the Sun. Investigations in Earth and Space Science Student Review 2 MCPS
Investigations in Earth and Space Science Semester A Examination compare and contrast Earth and the Moon in their response to solar wind particles. compare and contrast solar and lunar eclipses and relate them to lunar phases. explain the origin of astronomical tides. analyze the evolution of stars in terms to the relationship between gravity and nuclear fusion. classify stars into populations based on their color and brightness. compare and contrast the evolution of sun-like and massive stars. analyze the role of gravity in the formation of end-products of stellar evolution (e.g., white dwarfs, black holes). explain the evidence astronomers use to support the Big Bang Theory. BCRs were put on the exam review sheets to encourage appropriate student collaboration and review of concepts in preparation for the entire exam (not just the BCRs). Teachers should not address these BCRs during the course of their instruction and review with students other than highlighting their availability to support STUDENT review and to teach, model and encourage collaboration around the concepts. Students should be prepared to answer any of the following BCRs. Teachers will select two from the list below: BCR 1: The Life of a Star http://hubblesite There are many variations in stars, including brightness, color, temperature, and mass. Hertzprung and Russell suggested that these variations showed that stars go through different stages. Describe the life of a medium mass star, from the beginning to the end of its existence. In your response be sure to Identify each stage of the star s life in the correct order Briefly describe the important processes in each stage (gravity, fusion, expand, collapse) Be sure to consider the completeness of your response, supporting details, and accurate use of terms. Write your response on the lines provided on the Constructed Response Answer Investigations in Earth and Space Science Student Review 3 MCPS
Investigations in Earth and Space Science Semester A Examination BCR 2: Temperature Differences Students investigate the rates of heating and cooling of different surfaces. They collect temperature data from the blacktop surface of a parking area next to a lake and the surface water in the lake. Each surface responds differently to energy from the Sun. Their results are shown in the table below. TEMPERATURES OF BLACKTOP AND WATER Time (Hours) Blacktop Water Time (Hours) Blacktop Water 1 22 22 12 31 24 2 23 22 13 29 23 3 24 22 14 27 23 4 26 23 15 26 23 5 28 23 16 25 23 6 30 24 17 24 23 7 32 24 18 24 23 8 33 24 19 23 23 9 34 24 20 23 23 10 33 24 21 23 23 11 32 24 22 23 23 Compare the rates of heating and cooling of the blacktop to the water in a lake. In your response, be sure to include the method of heat transfer from the Sun the rate at which each surface absorbs energy the rate at which each surface releases energy the methods through which each surface transfers energy to the atmosphere evidence from the table that supports your response of terms. Write your response on the lines provided on the Constructed Response Answer Investigations in Earth and Space Science Student Review 4 MCPS
Investigations in Earth and Space Science Semester A Examination BCR 3: Revolution, Rotation and Eclipses Occasionally during Earth s revolution around the Sun, an eclipse occurs. Whether or not the eclipse is visible from a specific location on Earth depends on many variables, including Earth s rotation. Eclipse At which position on Earth s surface (A or B) would you expect to see the lunar eclipse depicted in the diagram? Explain your reasoning. In your response, be sure to: Describe the role revolution plays in the occurrences of eclipses Explain how Earth s rotation is related to visibility of eclipses from various positions on Earth of terms. Write your response on the lines provided on the Constructed Response Answer Investigations in Earth and Space Science Student Review 5 MCPS
Investigations in Earth and Space Science Semester A Examination BCR 4: Universal Gravitation Newton s Universal Law of Gravitation states that any two objects exert a gravitational force of attraction on each other. Examples of Newton s law can be found throughout the universe. For example, the Sun s gravity affects Earth and other celestial bodies. The gravity of these objects also has an effect on Earth. The extent to which gravity of any object affects another object is determined by many factors, for example distance between the object and the mass of the objects. The Milky Way Describe evidence found in our universe that celestial bodies are gravitationally bound. In your response, remember to include: Specific examples of consistent relationships between celestial objects Discuss how all bodies with mass are gravitationally bound Describe the relationship between mass and gravitational force of terms. Write your response on the lines provided on the Constructed Response Answer Investigations in Earth and Space Science Student Review 6 MCPS
Investigations in Earth and Space Science Semester A Examination BCR 5: Heat Transfer The atmosphere and hydrosphere are both fluids in motion. The hydrosphere is water on, under, and over the surface of Earth. The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding Earth. As they move, both hydrosphere and atmosphere transfer heat energy around Earth. How do the hydrosphere and atmosphere affect global temperature patterns? Be sure to: Briefly describe the patterns of heat transfer in the atmosphere. Briefly describe the patterns of heat transfer in the hydrosphere. Explain how the hydrosphere and atmosphere re-distribute heat energy over Earth s surface. of terms. Write your response on the lines provided on your Constructed Response Answer Investigations in Earth and Space Science Student Review 7 MCPS