Honors Earth& Space Science

Summer Assignment 2014-2015

OVERVIEW:

Honors Earth & Space Science addresses science disciplines starting with Astronomy and moving to Geology. To have you best prepared for this course, you will be required to complete the following assignment. Successful completion of this assignment will serve two purposes:

1. You will earn your seat in the course as well as your first grade

2. You will be refreshed on essential pre-requisite knowledge to help to maximize your success in the course and on the first exam

NOTE: Failure on the summer assignment and/or failure on the first exam will prompt the recommendation to be removed from Honors E & S Science to Regular E & S Science

DIRECTIONS:(complete the assignment below following these specific directions)

  1. Re-Type or Copy/Paste all questions onto your own Word Document, answer the questions
  2. E-mail to within the two week window prior to the start of school. No assignments will be accepted before August 11th or after the first day of school

NOTE: Use Microsoft Word to create your document or save it in PDF format before sending

SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

  1. Scientific Theory
  1. Define theory and clearly explain multiple differences between a scientific theory and a belief
  1. Atomic Structure
  1. Identify the three sub-atomic particles in an atom and list the relative mass of, charge of, and location where each particle is found in the atom
  1. Create a table in which you identify subatomic particle counts of the elements: H, N, Fe, W, & U
  1. Special Atoms
  1. Define both “Ion” and “Isotope”, and compare and contrast them from “normal atoms”
  1. List the most common Ion formed by the following atoms: H, Li, Mg, N, & Cl(example: Ca+2)
  1. List 4 Isotopes of C, and 2 isotopes of O; and provide specific sub-atomic particle counts for each
  1. Nuclear Science
  1. Define Radioactivity, and explain the difference between stable isotopes and radioactive isotopes
  1. Explain similarities and differences between Nuclear Fission and Thermonuclear Fusion
  1. Create a table showing the four Fundamental forces of the Universe, and include their relative strengths and the range over which they are effective
  1. Explain Einstein’s E = mc2 in regards to what the equation means and its implications to science
  1. Geologic Time
  1. Locate a geologic time scale and list the four major divisions of time from largest to smallest
  1. Identify the 3 time periods, from oldest to youngest, in which the Earth was dominated by Dinosaurs
  1. Identify the time in which you live (be specific, listing all four divisions of time)

Example: I live in the ______Epoch, which is part of the

______, which is in the ______, etc…

  1. Identify the currently accepted age of the Earthand explain how it is calculated
  1. Define and describe the “Cambrian Explosion”
  1. Determine what percentage of Earth History represents time when life existed, then identify what percentage represents time when higher order life (higher then bacteria) existed.
  2. Hint: higher order life is from the Cambrian period on
  1. Astronomy & Geology Basics
  1. Explain what the Sun is, and where its heat and light come from specifically. Also determine its M number, its R number, its color, its surface temperature, and how far through its life it currently is
  1. Define Astronomical Unit (AU), and list the planets in our Solar System in order of increasing AU. Include the number of natural satellites each planet has and the AU for each planet
  1. Rewrite the planets in our Solar System, this time ranking them in order of decreasing diameter
  1. Identify the three largest Earthquakes in history. Include the magnitudes and locations of each
  1. Explain Uniformitarianism and its implications in Geology and Astronomy
  1. In a few sentences each, briefly summarize the work of Edwin Hubble, Saul Perlmutter, Nicolas Steno, James Hutton, and Charles Lyell

BONUS: 3 Anti-Protiumatoms interact with a4Li isotope,what is the result?

I am looking forward to a successful and enjoyable year!!!

MR. LIVINGOOD