basic points

2006 自然科学の英語 -ENS-L1

Basic points• Handouts

– Lectures + glossary of technical words

• Lectures– listen carefully - grasp the concept– technical words in blue

• Videos– 1 hour– American accent – try to comprehend– outline to help you out

• Writing - Prof. Shishido– main points of grammar– pitfalls by Japanese students– 5-page essay


• Reading– native English speaking science writers– 4-page handout one week before discussion– self-study during the week– discussion: Q & A

• Goal– comprehend scientific English– be capable of describing scientific concepts in

English

http://www.h.chiba-u.jp/english/Education/H12001/ENS06.htm


Understanding the BiosphereL1

English in Natural Science

自然科学の英語


Our universe is filled with galaxies

Each galaxy• is different from others• contains millions of

stars


Our star, the Sun…

Is one of the millions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy

Has 9 planets orbiting around…the Solar System

Each planetis different from others


Our planet, the Earth…

Is unique in the Solar System…


…in that is the only planet with LIFE


• Each galaxy– is different from others– contains millions of stars

Our star, the Sun…• Is one of the millions of stars in the Milky Way

galaxy• Has 9 planets orbiting around…the Solar System• Each planet

– is different from others

Our planet, the Earth…• Is unique in the Solar System …in that is the only

planet with LIFE

Our universe is filled with galaxies


From the beginning…

Earth was formed by aggregation of dust– Pressure produced heat that melted materials

• lighter materials went to the surface (atmosphere)• heavier materials remained in the core

– Asteroids …increased• size• mineral composition

– Water?• by condensation of vapour in original atmosphere• brought by comets that crashed into Earth


149,597,890 km

Moon

Revolution 365.26 days

Rotation 24 hr

Polaris

~ 28 days


Earth’s astronomical data

Age: 4.6 billion years oldDistance from Sun: 149,597,890 km

8.3 min lightRotation period: 24 hr (1 d)Revolution period: 365.26 dSatellites: MoonDiameter: 12,756 kmMass: 5.9742 x 1024 kgDensity: 5.515 g/cm3

Gravitation: 9.8 m/s2


Importance of astronomical data

• Nature– Seasonal changes (summer - winter)– Climatic oscillations (e.g. glacial periods)– Natural cycles (e.g. spawning of corals, etc.)

• Humans– First science in history

• Ancient civilizations (Egypt, Middle East, Maya)

– Human activities• Basis for measurement of time and space• Calendar (day, week, month, year)• Zodiac: influence of universe on individual’s life


Earth’s data

Average temperature 14.8 oC

Planetary composition• Atmosphere: Air (mixture of gasses)

N2 O2 Ar CO2

• Hydrosphere: 74% surface (3.7 km average depth) 1,370 x 106 km3 water (H2O, ClNa)

• Earth: 3000 minerals

– Crust (SiOx, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg) • Continental (30% surface)

– Mantle (SiOx, Mg, S)

– Core (molten Fe alloy)

P not common


Structure of the Earth


• Original rocks (igneous)– Volcanic: basalt (alkaline), andesite, rhyolite (acidic)– Plutonic: granites (acidic), diorites, gabbro (alkaline)

• Sedimentary rocks – weathering (erosion)– Big size: conglomerates, breccia– Small size: sandstone, shale, siltstones– Precipitation carbonates (CO3

-2)• limestone (Ca)• dolomite (Mg)

• Metamorphic rocks– Igneous rocks greenstones (amphibolites)– Sedimentary rocks:

• Sandstone quartzites• Shale schists• Carbonate marbles


Surface crust is dynamic


Plate tectonics

• Rejuvenating the surface of the Earth– New mountains (volcanos, ridges)– New river valleys

• Recycling rocks and other materials– Metamorphic rocks– Biological debris

• Organic materials petroleum• Human waste (garbage) ??


Evolution of the Earth

• Our planet has not always been as we know it now

• Changes in 4,600 million years of history– Atmosphere: from CO2 to O2

– Surface• vapour H2O liquid H2O ice• shape of continents (continental drift, tectonics)

• Evolutionary perspective– Geological structure– Ecosystems


Geological eras

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geological_era


Cretaceous

Continental drift


Current Earth

70% water - most S hemisphere3 oceans

Deepest trench: Marianas 10973 m

30% land - most N hemisphere5 continents

Highest peak: Mt Everest 8850 m


Biosphere

The living matter enveloping the surface of the Earth

& filling its oceans


Conditions for a biosphere

• Material composition and availability of chemicals– Abundant C, O, N, H and P, Ca, S

• Atmosphere - not poisonous– Adequate planet size: gravitational force to hold it

• Steady supply of energy, not fluctuating– Normal star (Sun)– Planet’s orbit near circular

• Temperature– allow normal chemical reactions

– water (H2O) in liquid form0 < T < 100 oC


Sources of energy

External - the Sun– Photosynthesis– Hydrological cycle– Climate

Internal – the Earth• Volcanos

– hot springs

• Deep ocean trenches– Hydrothermal vents– Plumes


Basic principles (rules)• Conservation of matter – same amount of matter

– Small input: meteorites, falling debris– Small output: H and He losses

• Conservation of energy - 1st law of thermodynamics“Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed”

• Natural processes - 2nd law of thermodynamics

A + B C + D + energy

– always in direction of highest entropy

entropy [A+B] < entropy [C+D]

• Biological systems constantly…– Recycle matter (biomass)– Require energy input to create more organisms less entropy


Definitions

• Ecology: oikos (household) + logos (study)– Study of interactions between organisms and

environment• Ecosystem: ecological system

– Biological component – organisms– Non-biological component – land, water, air

• Biosphere: entire biological systems on Earth• Biodiversity: variety of species in an ecosystem• Biogeography: geographical distribution of

species


References

• Fred T. Mackenzie. 1998. Our changing planet : an introduction to earth system science and global environmental change / 環境リモートセンタ call 519

• David E. Alexander & Rhodes W. Fairbridge (eds). 1999. Encyclopedia of environmental science / 本館参考 call 519.03||ENC

basic points

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