Topic 1 Origin and Structure of Oceans
Topic 1 Origin and Structure of Oceans
1.1 Physical structure of the oceans
Nature of science:
Paradigm shifts change perspective of scientific exploration--old paradigm saw individual bodies of water and ownership by nations; new paradigm describes One World Ocean with ocean basins named and viewed as inter-related with the whole system; promotes international cooperation among scientists.
Understandings:
Spatial understanding of oceans includes two surface dimensions as well as vertical dimensions
Effect of latitude is a recurring factor in each topic of study
Examination of oceans includes the water as well as lithosphere beneath with coastlines and atmosphere
Geographic coordinate system of latitude and longitude is used to describe locations
Applications and skills:
Naming and locating the world's oceans and major seas
Recognizing chart projections with their advantages and distortions
Using physical globe to increase understanding of spatial relationships
1.2 Describing ocean basins
Nature of science:
Use of models to represent reality
Verification among techniques increases certainty and improves the level of confidence
Understandings:
Bathymetry can be used to determine the topography of ocean basins
Satellite altimetry is used for mapping the ocean topography and can be verified by bathymetric techniques
Applications and skills:
Skill: contour mapping from data collected by echo-soundings; create a topographic profile from a transect of a contour map (practical 1)
Skill: labeling features on a model or map of a continental margin and ocean floor
Skill: drawing and explaining the hypsographic curve
1.3 Origin of the oceans
Nature of science:
The underlying assumption of science is that the universe has an independent reality accessible to human senses and reasoning
The use of verifiable patterns provides evidence for analysis that must be examined without bias in order to be scientific in nature
Understandings:
Conditions of the early planet including atmospheric composition and lack of water.
Alternative ideas about how oceans formed
Evidence used to explore the changing planet
Applications and skills:
Timeline of events since formation of planet
Evidence of atmospheric qualities from ice cores
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