Description

Table of Contents

Words to Watch
Chapter 1 Development of the Geosphere
1.1 Change and interactions
1.2 Geologic time
1.3 Stratigraphy
1.4 Origins of the Universe
1.5 The formation of the Solar System
1.6 Planet Earth
1.7 Surface features: rocks and minerals
1.8 Soil
1.9 Summary
1.10 Exam-style questions
Chapter 2 Development of the Atmosphere and Hydrosphere
2.1 How the atmosphere formed
2.2 Structure of the atmosphere
2.3 Origins of water on Earth
2.4 Water as a solvent
2.5 The hydrologic cycle
2.6 Water and life
2.7 Summary
2.8 Exam-style questions
Chapter 3 Development of the Biosphere
3.1 Fossils and life
3.2 The origin of life – the chicken or the egg?
3.3 Present communities
3.4 Past communities
3.5 How communities change
3.6 Summary
3.7 Exam-style questions
Chapter 4 Energy for Earth Processes
4.1 Energy and the geosphere
4.2 Tectonic plates – evidence they move
4.3 Interior energy – plate interactions
4.4 Tectonic plates – how they move
4.5 Summary
4.6 Exam-style questions
Chapter 5 Energy for Atmospheric and Hydrologic Processes
5.1 Energy and the atmosphere
5.2 Ultraviolet radiation and the ozone layer
5.3 The greenhouse effect
5.4 Atmospheric circulation
5.5 The global ocean heat conveyor
5.6 El Niño and La Niña
5.7 Summary
5.8 Exam-style questions
Chapter 6 Energy for Biogeochemical Processes
6.1 Net primary production
6.2 Carrying capacity
6.3 Biogeochemical cycles
6.4 The carbon cycle
6.5 Summary
6.6 Exam-style questions
Chapter 7 Investigating Earth and Environmental Science
Answers
Glossary
WACE Syllabus Cross-Reference
Index